Shooting at UNC Charlotte Leaves Two Dead, Four Injured

Shooting at UNC Charlotte Leaves Two Dead, Four Injured

The suspected shooter was taken into custody within minutes of the shooting.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • May 02, 2019

Two University of North Carolina, Charlotte students were killed and four others injured after a shooting on campus Tuesday evening. The suspected shooter was taken into custody shortly after.

Police are still trying to piece together evidence that might help them understand why the shooter decided to open fire during a class on science and technology. Witnesses from the classroom told CBS News that the suspected shooter was a student at UNCC and sat in on the class for about 10 minutes before taking out a gun.

Students from the classroom tried to exit quickly, but with nearly 50 people flooding out of the room at one time it wasn't easy. 

"All of a sudden, without warning, no one yelled, no nothing," UNCC student Tristan Field told CBS News. "This gun just started ringing out. It was absolute panic. A chair fell in front of the door, so people were tripping over that, like trying to climb over it. Some people fell down. It was like water through a funnel, but it wasn't fast enough."

Campus police were able to capture and arrest the suspected shooter within minutes of the incident. The campus was placed into lockdown shortly after the shots rang out and lifted before midnight after police had swept the buildings and ensured there was no further threat to the campus.

Of those injured, three remain in the hospital with critical injuries. A vigil is expected for the deceased on Wednesday.


About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • CISA Releases Anonymous Threat Response Guidance and Toolkit for K-12 Schools

    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise. It is co-sealed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided expert feedback on the toolkit’s key principles and strategies. Read Now

  • How Hospitals are Using Modern Technology to Improve Security

    Workplace violence is a serious and growing challenge for many organizations — including those in the healthcare industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in healthcare and social services experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence and are five times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers overall — and aggressive incidents are rising. Read Now

  • Father of Georgia School Shooting Suspect Charged in Connection With Attack

    Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect, has also been charged in connection with the attack. The 54-year-old father was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. Read Now

  • Safeguarding Stony Brook University Hospital: HALO’S Commitment to Health & Safety

    The healthcare industry is experiencing an alarming escalation of violence, including an increase in threats against healthcare workers. As a result, it is looking for ways to be proactive and protect its staff and patients.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,  the rate of injuries from violent attacks against medical professionals grew by 63% from 2011 to 2018 and hospital safety directors say that aggression against staff escalated as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified in 2020.      Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars