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A shooting at a small university in eastern North Carolina left one dead and six injured, leading to the closure of the campus early Sunday morning, according to the educational institution's report on its website.
The shooting occurred around 12:30 a.m. in the center of the campus of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) following the Yard Fest, the final event of the week-long Viking Fest celebration, the school said in a statement.
A 24-year-old man who was not a student at the institution has been declared dead. His identity has not been immediately released pending notification to his family, according to the statement.
Six people were injured during the incident, and four suffered gunshot wounds, including three students, while the others were injured during the chaos.
Fortunately, none of the injuries are considered life-threatening, and all the wounded were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The university, with 2,300 students and located about 80 kilometers south of Norfolk (Virginia), announced the closure of the campus, which was lifted hours later after law enforcement determined that the area was safe.
So far, no details have been revealed about the alleged shooter.
The ECSU Police, along with the Elizabeth City Police Department, the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office, the Camden County Sheriff's Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, are actively investigating the situation.
As a precautionary measure, ECSU has increased patrols throughout the campus.
"The university is deeply saddened by this senseless act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all members of the Viking community affected by this tragedy," stated the authorities of the institution.
They also requested that anyone with information about the incident contact the University Police at 252-335-3266.
This incident occurs just one week after a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) alarmed the Florida community.
Roberto Morales, a Cuban-American resident of Miami-Dade and an employee at the FSU campus, was fatally wounded.
Morales, who was also the founder of the Cuban restaurant Gordos Cuban Cuisine in Tallahassee, was widely known in the local community. His passing was confirmed by his family through social media, generating a wave of solidarity and mourning among Cuban-American sectors in Florida.
The following day, authorities confirmed the identity of a second fatality, Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old man, husband and father of two children, who resided in Greenville, South Carolina.
The shooter was identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student at the university and the son of a deputy sheriff in Leon County.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Shooting at Elizabeth City State University
What happened at Elizabeth City State University?
A shooting on the campus of Elizabeth City State University left one dead and six injured following the Yard Fest event. The deceased was a 24-year-old man who was not a student of the university. Six individuals were injured, including three students, but none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
How did the authorities respond to the shooting at ECSU?
The authorities of ECSU, along with the Elizabeth City Police Department and other agencies, closed the campus to secure the area and increased patrols. The closure was lifted hours later when it was determined that the site was safe. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
What security measures were implemented after the shooting?
Elizabeth City State University has increased patrols across the campus as a precautionary measure following the shooting. The university community has been urged to cooperate with authorities and report any relevant information about the incident.
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