Morgan State University homecoming marred by gun violence for third straight year after recent shooting

BALTIMORE -- Homecoming festivities at Morgan State University have been marred by gun violence for the third-straight year after a mass shooting on campus Tuesday night.

Five people, including four students, were struck by gunfire after a homecoming event, sparking school officials to call for a shelter in place.

The shooting happened shortly after the crowning of Mr. and Ms. Morgan State University, a kickoff to homecoming week events at the school.

"This was such a senseless act of violence perpetrated on our community after what was a family-filled and fun evening of celebrating the pageantry and beauty of our students," university president Dr. David Wilson said in a statement. "But Morgan is a strong family and we will march on with determination to keep moving on. "

Baltimore police said multiple guns were involved and a search is ongoing for the suspects involved.

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.   

Four men and one woman between the ages of 18 and 22 suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

"We had a very difficult and tragic situation at Morgan State University," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "Our heart aches for the entire Morgan community, especially those directly impacted and their families."

As students and alumni were celebrating the school's homecoming Week, those on campus received another scare.

"It's another example in the extremely long list of campus and school shootings that have taken place across this country," Mayor Scott said.

Morgan State officials canceled all homecoming events because of Tuesday's shooting.

That wasn't the first time shots were fired during homecoming week at Morgan State.

In October 2022, a 20-year-old was injured in a shooting at an unsanctioned homecoming party in front of Morgan State's Student Center.

In 2021, an 18-year-old Morgan State student was injured in a shooting on campus following homecoming activities.

Four weeks later, police arrested Marcellus Walls, an 18-year-old from Washington, D.C.

"The horrific act of violence is a sickening reminder of how commonplace these instances have become," Mayor Scott said. "We must end the epidemic of gun violence in our communities once and for all."

Some Morgan State students, including Allie Ball who lives in Thurgood Marshall Hall near Tuesday's shooting, said they don't feel safe participating in some of the events.

"People were kind just like on social media, calling it like just a Morgan State homecoming tradition, for there to be shootings," Ball said.

WJZ checked on Morgan State's homecoming security procedures.

After the shooting in 2022, the campus upped security by adding more police officers and lighting, limiting access to some areas and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol, smoking and weapons.

Morgan State also requires all homecoming events to be over by 7 p.m. and the campus cleared by 9 p.m.

However, with these measures in place, some students still wonder why the violence continues happening. 

"It's like why haven't you taken the necessary precautions from the first time that it happened for it to never happen again," freshman Cormari Wachuku said "And it's like this time it's not only one person getting shot."

Meanwhile, even though the Morgan State community is reeling over the violence on campus Tuesday night, some students remain positive.

"It's a little scary but that's not who we are. That's not what Morgan represents," junior Keiana Ramsey said.