Baltimore – A distressing incident unfolded at Morgan State University on Tuesday, where an active shooter situation initially gripped the campus. Law enforcement swiftly responded to the scene, leading to a lockdown and a call for individuals to take shelter and avoid the area.
The shooting incident took place at an address that seemingly corresponded to a residential building within close proximity to a city police station. After an intensive three-hour response, authorities declared that the situation was no longer an active shooter scenario, providing a sense of relief to the campus community.
Police spokesperson Vernon Davis conveyed that a total of four individuals had sustained gunshot wounds, with Police spokesperson Amanda Krotki confirming that their injuries were thankfully non-life-threatening.
City council member Ryan Dorsey offered a perspective on the incident, stating, “It’s believed there were three shooters firing into the crowd,” though no arrests have been reported at this time.
At the scene, police cordoned off the south entrance to the campus, adjacent to dormitory buildings, while a police helicopter maintained vigilance overhead.
This unsettling incident unfolded amidst a week of activities leading up to the school’s homecoming game scheduled for Saturday. The coronation ceremony for Mister and Miss Morgan State was also slated for Tuesday night at the Murphy Fine Arts Center, an area that the school urged individuals to steer clear of during the incident.
One concerned parent, Glenmore Blackwood, recounted that his son, a senior student, was on campus when the shooting occurred, taking refuge in the auditorium of the arts center. Blackwood expressed his concern, saying, “It’s just sad. They were doing a good thing – an event to promote positivity – and all this negativity happens.”
Meanwhile, Ish Sargent, a local resident, expressed her surprise, stating, “At a school though, that’s crazy. People just out here shooting.”
Morgan State University, with an enrollment of approximately 9,000 students, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute. Originally dedicated to training men for ministry, the institution relocated to its current location in northeast Baltimore in 1917. In 1939, it was acquired by the state of Maryland, with a mission to provide expanded opportunities for Black citizens.
The incident at Morgan State University serves as a somber reminder of the challenges posed by gun violence, even within the confines of educational institutions. Authorities continue their investigation, seeking answers and closure for the affected community.
