2 Fatally Shot at Grambling State, Suspect Apprehended
The suspect, who has been charged with first-degree murder, turned himself in on Thursday evening after learning of an arrest warrant.
Grambling State University is a historically black college with just under 5,000 students enrolled.
A student and a visitor were shot and killed early Wednesday morning at Grambling State University in northern Louisiana following an altercation in a dorm room.
The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended by police on Thursday evening, according to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department.
Jaylin M. Wayne has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Earl Andrews and Monquiarious Caldwell, reports USA Today. Andrews, 23, was a senior at the school. Caldwell, also 23, was visiting Andrews. The two men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Wayne surrendered to police after learning a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
“I feel confident that our investigators have put together a strong case,” says Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone. “As a department, we offer our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. I want to thank our team of investigators for their dedication and the determined effort they put forth in working this case.”
Investigators say Wayne, who is also 23, shot Andrews following an altercation. He then shot Caldwell who was coming to help Andrews. The suspect and victims are said to have known each other “to some extent”, although it is not clear how.
“To the students and family members and parents of our GSU students here in Lincoln Parish, please rest assured that President (Rick) Gallot and I remain in close contact,” says Stone. “Increased activities and patrols will continue for the foreseeable future.”
The shooting occurred during Homecoming Week in which the campus sees a large spike in visitors.
Police received 911 calls starting at 12:04 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Stephen Williams says detectives are currently investigating the double homicide alongside campus police, according to NBC News.
“It was an altercation that started inside one of the dorm rooms and spilled out into the courtyard. We’re interviewing witnesses,” says Williams. “We’re processing evidence right now, trying to develop our suspect.”
The victim’s bodies were discovered in a courtyard between two dorms. No weapons were found at the scene.
Students were sent emergency text messages advising them to “stay inside and remain vigilant” as police began a manhunt for the suspect, but the campus was not placed on lockdown. Classes will continue as normal today.
Wednesday’s deadly shooting is the second shooting on the campus in just over two months. On September 21, a student let another person into a dorm where an altercation pursued, ending with the student being shot in the left arm.
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About the Author
Amy Rock, Executive Editor
Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.
Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.
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