Morgan State University community shaken by mass shooting on campus as search for suspect continues

BALTIMORE -- A shooting on the Northeast Baltimore campus of Morgan State University left five people wounded and the community reeling.

Baltimore Police arrived at the scene on Argonne Drive -- the area of the Marshall Apartment Complex dorms -- after reports of an active shooter on campus. A shelter-in-place order was in effect for the university and the surrounding neighborhoods for hours.

Four men and a woman between the ages of 18 and 22 were shot, and all were hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said in an early-morning press conference.

Investigators believe there was a dispute between two groups when gunfire erupted near a dorm on the university's campus, Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley said Wednesday. At least three people are believed to have been armed. 

Worley said those shot were bystanders and not intended targets. Four of them are students at the historically Black university based in Northeast Baltimore. 

Investigators believe the shooting happened outside, but multiple windows appear to have been shattered in the incident. There is no word yet on a motive for the shooting. 

The search for a suspect or suspects is ongoing, and classes at the school are canceled Wednesday. 

In a statement to WJZ, Governor Wes Moore said, "My office is aware of the shooting incident on the Morgan State University campus. My team and I are in close contact with officials on the ground and are monitoring the situation. We are grateful for the heroic efforts of the first responders who rushed to the scene and are actively working to ensure safety."

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott made a powerful call for national gun reform during the news conference, saying guns shouldn't be "in the hands of people who should not have them" and comparing the situation to the moves to require seatbelts in vehicles and warn the public about the health dangers posed by cigarettes.

"We have to deal with this issue nationally," he said. "We have to get serious about guns."

Maryland state Senator Bill Ferguson expressed empathy in a social media post following the shooting.

Students, parents express concern 

WJZ spoke with students, parents, and witnesses who described the terrifying moments that the gunfire erupted on campus.

Family and friends told WJZ that they were worried about their loved ones after they learned from social media sites that someone was shooting people on campus.

A man by the name of Antonio told WJZ's Cristina Mendez that his brother was locked down in one of the bathrooms.

"Right now, my brother just texted my mom saying that they're just locked down in the stadium's bathrooms right now just waiting for when they can leave out," Antonio said.

Family and friends told WJZ that they were worried about their loved ones after learning about the shooting.

Jose Verdejo said his daughter is a freshman at Morgan. He drove two hours from New Jersey to the campus when a family friend told her about the shooting. 

"I called my daughter, she told me she was locked in a library but she didn't know what was going on," he said. "So I had I did let her know there was a shooting, I told her to stay away from windows, and then that made them nervous."

Verdejo said he doesn't know how the school can make him feel comfortable leaving his daughter there. Especially after consecutive homecoming week shootings, he feels those in charge of keeping her safe were "sleeping."

I'm not going to leave my daughter behind until I feel comfortable. So I'm not leaving till I speak to someone and I can get assurances that you know, I can leave my daughter in their care," he said. "And so far, I don't feel assured at all."

Watch: Parent of MSU freshman speaks out after five shot on campus

WJZ's Kelsey Kushner spoke to a Morgan State University junior who drove to the school after hearing of the shooting.

He said he felt anxious given that the shooting happened before homecoming—on the night of the coronation of Mr. and Ms. Morgan State University.

There have been similar incidents in the past, he said. 

In 2022, a 20-year-old man was shot at Morgan State University during an unsanctioned homecoming party. That person was not a university student.

In 2021, an 18-year-old Morgan State University student was shot on campus following the university's homecoming activities.

The Morgan State University junior was on my way home when he found out about the shooting and then I just called his friend to make sure he was OK.

"When I called him, he said he was on lockdown and they had him in the student center," he said.

There are slivers of shock that come with experiencing another shooting on campus; it has put people on edge, the Morgan State University junior added.

"Nobody wants to be here anymore," he said. "I heard people they wanted class to be canceled for a week because of this. It's very traumatizing."

Universities show solidarity

Nearby Towson University showed support in a social media post Wednesday morning. 

"We know your strength. We stand with you in support and with shared resolve. Our thoughts are with all Bears today," the school said in a Tweet. 

The University of Maryland in College Park also showed support, with UMD President Dr. Darryll Pines making a strong statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

"Thinking about everyone at @MorganStateU, as a mass shooting and lockdown traumatized our neighbors and fellow students," he said. "We won't stop pushing for sensible approaches to end gun violence until all of our communities, schools and universities are safer."

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