Following Tuesday evening’s on-campus shooting, Morgan State University officials have canceled the week’s s slate of events and classes for the rest of the week.
This is the first time in Morgan’s 156-year history that all Homecoming events have been canceled.
In a statement posted to the university’s website, university President David Wilson said Wednesday’s concert, Thursday’s silent headphones party, Friday’s pep rally and a home volleyball match against Howard, Saturday’s parade and all other on-campus events were being canceled.
In addition, the Homecoming football game against Stony Brook and the 39th annual Homecoming gala will be postponed “until the perpetrator(s) of this atrocity have been found and brought to justice,” according to the website statement.
The statement also said the school is canceling classes and activities for the rest of the week “In the abundance of sensitivity for the emotional well-being of the campus community,”
In the statement, Wilson said the decision to cancel was made “after very careful—and at times emotional—deliberation” with members of his administration and the Student Government Association as well as the University Council.
The statement added that the school will “implement campus-wide programming geared towards the health and welfare of our University community.”
“We strongly believe that this moment calls for reflection, thus allowing our students, faculty and staff the opportunity to focus on their mental wellness.”
The shooting took place Tuesday around 9:30 p.m. in the area between Thurgood Marshall Hall and the Murphy Fine Arts Center in the 1700 block of Argonne Drive.
Students reported hearing gunshots while leaving the coronation ceremony for Mr. and Miss Morgan.
Five people were injured in the shooting including four Morgan students, The victims include four men and one woman, ages 18-22.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said the shooting is believed to be a result of a dispute between two parties. It is believed that one person was targeted but was not among those injured.
Three weapons were present at the shooting, according to Worley, however, it hasn’t yet been confirmed if more than one was fired.
This is the third consecutive year that a shooting has taken place during Morgan’s Homecoming festivities.
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