Monday classes canceled at Bowie State University following homecoming weekend shooting
BALTIMORE - Gunfire broke out during homecoming festivities at Bowie State University injuring two 19-year-olds, neither were students. They are expected to survive.
Bowie State University announced classes are canceled for Monday.
"It's unfortunate that we're here to address another act of violence on a college campus during one of the most celebrated weekends of the year," Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Roland Butler said.
Police said around 11:30 p.m. Saturday night shots were fired near the Center for Business and Graduate Studies at Bowie State University.
Police believe there was more than one shooter.
"We also believe this shooting was an isolated incident," Butler said. "Again, there is no threat to the public at this time."
Students told WJZ they were "shaken" by the shooting.
The shooting happened during Bowie State's homecoming week, much like the one that happened last week at Morgan State University in Baltimore where five people were shot, including four students.
Baltimore police are still searching for the two suspects responsible.
They released surveillance video of persons of interest in the case.
The shooting at Morgan State caused the university to cancel or postpone all of its homecoming events.
Classes were also canceled for students last week.
Police said they do not believe Saturday night's shooting is connected to last week's shooting at Morgan State.
Bowie State University Police received report of shots fired at approximately 11:45 in the area of Henry Circle near the Center for Business and Graduate Studies. Two individuals were reported injured and taken to the hospital. The matter is under investigation by PG police.
— Bowie State University (@BowieState) October 8, 2023
On Sunday, members of the Morgan community gathered for a walk through campus.
"We know it's been a somber mood since the recent events and we want to make sure that students, especially those who had their homecoming festivities canceled, thought that there was still love coming to them," Next Gen MSU Alumni Chapter Dr. Khalilah Harris said.
The HBCU community is very tight-knit.
So much so that Bowie State students invited Morgan State students to celebrate homecoming weekend on their campus.
Now both HBCU communities are reeling over these tragic shootings during one of the most anticipated times during the school year.
"Our campus community is very much a peaceful Community," Bowie State University President Dr. Aminta Breaux said. "So, this is not normal for Bowie State University."
If you have information on either of these shootings, you're asked to contact police.
While investigators say they do have some leads on this shooting at Bowie State, they're asking anyone with information to contact police at 301-860-4688.