A former student wielding three loaded handguns shot a Hampton University dorm manager and a pizza delivery driver inside the school’s dorm on April 26. The suspect then shot himself. The motive for the shooting is currently unknown.
The dorm manager was released from the hospital later in the day, while the suspect and second victim remain in stable condition at the hospital. After hearing the initial gunshots, the dorm manager immediately pulled a fire alarm which prompted students to evacuate.
Telephone messages were sent out to the campus immediately after the shooting, but text messages did not go to students until about 3 a.m. – nearly two hours after the suspect opened fire – and some students claim they did not receive any warnings about the gunman.
According to WVEC.com, a local news station, the lack of information provided to the students immediately after the shootings remained the biggest issue. Many students never received emergency text messages or E-mails from the school despite registering for the service. However, the messages were still sent to nearly 1,600 students.
The 18-year-old suspect was a Hampton student for several months in the fall 2008 semester, but withdrew himself from school in November, according to university officials. Police are waiting for the hopsital to discharge him before pressing charges.
The university is reviewing its campus security procedures to determine how to prevent individuals from entering the campus unrestricted.
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