NASHVILLE, Tenn., Vanderbilt University football player George Smith was shot in the arm on Sept. 25 as he walking through the hall of the Morgan House dormitory.

According to the university’s Web site, a female student brought several non-Vanderbilt individuals into the residence hall to attend a party. As they were leaving via an elevator – having been asked to leave for causing a disturbance – two of the male visitors fired several shots into the hallway, hitting Smith in the arm.

Surveillance video taken by cameras in the elevator helped police identify Carlos Andrecus Branch, 26, as one of the suspects. Arrest warrants charging Branch with aggravated assault, felony reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a gun on school property have been issued.

In response to the shooting, 16 members of the Vanderbilt community, including students, security experts and administrators, will study campus security, particularly as it pertains to residence hall and student area access. They will provide an immediate analysis of current procedures and make recommendations for changes to openness and safety.

Called the Chancellor’s Task Force on Campus Safety and Security, the committee will be co-chaired by David Williams, vice chancellor for student life and university affairs, and Kate Morgan, president of the Student Government Association.

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