Morgan State shooting wounded five innocent bystanders in ‘fight’

Shooting at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland left five victims wounded while up to three shooters remain at large

Shooting on campus of Morgan State University in Baltimore

Police in Baltimore said on Wednesday that they are still searching for a suspect involved in a shooting at Morgan State University that left five innocent bystanders injured on Tuesday evening.

Students and faculty on campus were celebrating homecoming and the crowning of Mr and Miss Morgan State University when gunshots rang out around 9.30pm. The campus was plunged into lockdown with authorities believing that an “active shooter situation” was taking place.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said that the shooting was likely a result of a dispute between two groups of people.

Five bystanders were injured as a result of the gunfire, four of which are students at the university. Officials confirmed on Wednesday morning that none of them suffered life-threatening injuries.

Baltimore City Council Member Ryan Dorsey said in a post on X that he had been told there may have been three separate shooters firing into the crowd. No suspects have been named.

At the press briefing, police refused to confirm how many shooters they believed there to be.

Key points

• Police: Morgan State incident no longer active shooter situation
• Victims were likely ‘unintended targets’
• Four students battling ‘non-threatening’ injuries
• Baltimore Police order students and staff at Morgan State University to shelter in place
• Shooting occurred soon after a popular event at campus ended

[4 October 2023 06:48 · Maroosha Muzaffar]

Maryland governor issues statement on Morgan State shooting

In a statement to WJZ, Maryland 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.”

[4 October 2023 06:55 · Maroosha Muzaffar]

There were 3 shooters, says Baltimore City councilman

Baltimore City councilman Ryan Dorsey announced on social media that police told him five people had been injured during the shooting.

“It’s believed there were three shooters firing into the crowd, none apprehended or ID’d at this time,” Mr Dorsey said.

[4 October 2023 07:00 · Maroosha Muzaffar]

Baltimore councilwoman 'horrified' over the Morgan State shooting

Baltimore City councilwoman Odette Ramos told WJZ that she was “horrified” when she heard of the shooting.

“It’s been a sad, sad evening, especially since Morgan has homecoming coming up, and that is usually a big celebration of how wonderful campus is and still is,” she said.

Ms Ramos said she was relieved to find out that the gunshot victims would be able to recover from their injuries. “I’m here to show my support to the students.”

[4 October 2023 07:20 · Maroosha Muzaffar]

Students recall moment they saw bullets hit a window: ‘It was chaos’

Two students who were leaving a Morgan State University event on Tuesday night said they saw bullets hit a window as they left the building.

“Everybody started running. It was chaos,” one student was quoted as saying by WBAL TV.

[4 October 2023 07:32 · Maroosha Muzaffar]

No suspects in custody so far

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Baltimore police commissioner Richard Worley reported that no suspects were in custody so far.

Gunfire was reported at the campus at approximately 9.25pm and multiple people were shot, Mr Worley said.

The victims, comprising four men and one woman aged between 18 and 22, were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

[4 October 2023 07:40 · Maroosha Muzaffar]

Shelter-in-place order lifted by Morgan State

At around 11.45pm yesterday, police said it no longer considered the incident an “active shooter” situation but urged people to shelter in place.

Half an hour later, Morgan State University announced on its website that the shelter-in-place order had been lifted.

[4 October 2023 09:23 · Rachel Sharp]

PICTURED: The aftermath of the shooting at Morgan State University

Evidence markers are pictured outside a building at Morgan State University (AP)

Police give briefing about Morgan State University shooting (AP)

An ATF officer searches for evidence in front of a building at Morgan State University after a shooting, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Baltimore (AP)

[4 October 2023 09:40 · Rachel Sharp]

Number of shooters unknown

At least one suspect is still at large following the shooting at Morgan State University in Maryland on Tuesday night.

Baltimore City Council Member Ryan Dorsey said in a post on X that he had been told there may have been three separate shooters firing into the crowd outside the campus.

At the press briefing, police refused to confirm how many shooters they believed there to be.

No arrests have been made and no suspect named.

[4 October 2023 10:00 · Rachel Sharp]

WATCH: President and police react to Morgan State University homecoming shooting

[4 October 2023 10:20 · Holly Hales]

How police responded to incident

Campus police heard a series of gunshots which immediately alerted them to the incident, according to the university’s top cop.

Morgan State University Police Chief Lance Hatcher told reporters officers were on patrol around 9:25 p.m. when they heard discharging.

“Morgan State University police officers were on patrol on the campus when they heard discharges from a firearm,” he said.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said the response was swift after police became aware.

“The area was cordoned off, set up a command post and officers basically went to different buildings,” he said.