Suspect in custody after altercation between two students ends in gunfire
Officials are calling the early Friday morning shooting on the Northern Illinois University campus an “isolated incident,” and police have a suspect in custody.
One student was shot in the incident and taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb for treatment. His name and condition have not yet been released, but the gunshot to his leg is not believed to be life threatening.
Police are not releasing the name of the suspect.
“The state’s attorney has requested that NIU not release the name at this time,” NIU President John Peters said.
The incident happened about 3:29 a.m. Friday outside of the Stevenson North residence hall in DeKalb. Authorities believe that an altercation between two students in their 20s led to the shooting.
The victim was identified as a Stevenson Hall resident, while the suspect lives in off-campus housing. The alleged shooter reportedly fled and was arrested by NIU police about five minutes later. The gun used in the incident has been recovered.
Officials could not comment on a motive or type of gun used.
Less than a week ago, NIU mourned the second anniversary of the Feb. 14, 2008, shooting at Cole Hall in which former student Steven Kazmierczak opened fire on a classroom, killing five students and wounding 12 others.
The news of the shooting shocked students on campus Friday morning.
English major Katie Martin was asleep inside her Stevenson Hall room when she received a call from her mother about the shooting before she left for her early morning job at a campus coffee stand.
“My mom called me at about 5 a.m. because the buses don’t run yet by the time we open, and we have to walk here, so she was quite worried considering it happened right outside the building,” Martin said.
Martin said she had not signed up for the campus text alert system, but was reconsidering following the Friday morning event.
An NIU text message alert of the shooting was received by 3:53 a.m. The message noted the campus had been locked down and that the suspect was in custody.
NIU grad student Beth Bryngelson said she was listening to public radio Friday morning while in bed when the news was reported.
“I jumped up and was like … ‘not again!’” Bryngelson said. “I wasn’t here two years ago but it was just shocking.”
By 5 a.m., the campus was reopened and classes were to go on as scheduled. Fifty minutes later, authorities signaled an “all clear.” Some bus routes were closed or altered Friday morning around the Stevenson and Grant residence hall towers.
Counselors have been made available for students. Student who had reactions to the shooting also were encouraged to talk with friends or family.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services