Friday’s early-morning shooting at Northern Illinois University appears to be an isolated incident involving the victim and the alleged shooter, the university president said today.
The shooting occurred as part of an “altercation” at 3:29 a.m. outside Stevenson Towers North dormitory on the DeKalb campus, President John Peters said.
The victim lives in the dormitory; the alleged shooter lives off-campus.
Both are men in their 20s and students at NIU. Neither was identified.
The victim was shot above the knee and his injury is “not life-threatening,” according to Peters. He is being treated at Kishwaukee Community Hospital.
An NIU police officer stationed at Stevenson North responded immediately to the incident, Peters said. The suspect, who had run off toward a lagoon near the dorm was apprehended five minutes later.
The name of the shooter was not released on the request of the DeKalb County State’s Attorney, Peters said.
One person witnessed the shooting, and five others were present, he said.
A text alert about the shooting, and lockdown of the campus, was sent to 12,000 subscribers at 3:48 a.m., and posted on the university’s Web site. The lockdown was lifted at 5:03 a.m.
“Unfortunately, we have learned how to do this from our previous experience,” said Peters, referring to the Feb. 14, 2008 shooting at Cole Hall that took the lives of five students, including the gunman.
“Violence continues to plague college campuses and society across this country. It is important we continue to be vigilant in providing a safe learning environment for our students and faculty,” Peters said.
The handgun has been recovered, but Peter did not know the make, model or caliber.
He also said he did not know the motive behind the shooting.
Peters, notified by the text alert, went over to Stevenson immediately. “Quite frankly, every
one was asleep,” he said.
“These events are occurring too often at schools and churches.”
Cali Gannon, a 19-year-old student from Chicago, said she feels safe on the campus, but “the fact it is practically in our backyard is just a little too close for comfort.” The sophomore lives in an off-campus apartment near the dormitory.
Roommate Christina Aguilera, 20, of Mount Prospect, said “we were actually surprised” the school decided to go ahead with classes. “I feel (classes should have been canceled) especially because of the students who were here for the first shooting.”
“It is such a sensitive situation,” Gannon said.
Gannon said she did not receive the university’s text message, but learned about the shooting when she checked her Facebook page upon awakening Friday.
Bus service near the dormitory was canceled while the investigation proceeds, but otherwise the campus remains open.
Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services