WORCSTER – Worcester State University is taking shelter after a double shooting near a campus parking lot at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning that left one person dead and another injured.
CBS Boston
“Neither the victims nor the alleged attackers are students at Worcester State University,” the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
Police said the investigation indicated the shooting was sparked by a fight and was not an active shooter situation.
“This does not appear to be a random incident,” Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said at a news conference Saturday. “The parties involved knew each other from what we can see at this stage. He added that a suspect had been arrested.
Students were asked to remain in university residences until the order was lifted shortly before 9:30 a.m. However, students are still asked to avoid the area where police are working. The Wasylean car park is closed until further notice.
The school also canceled all weekend activities, including homecoming and family weekend. The university’s website says it offers counseling to students who need it.
WSU Alert 10/28/2023 7:30 a.m.: WSU will be closed Saturday, October 28 due to an ongoing incident. ALL university events, on and off campus, are canceled.
– Worcester State (@WorcesterState) October 28, 2023
Both victims were taken to UMass Medical Center. One died and another is still hospitalized. Their identities have not been released.
Police are asking anyone with photos or videos of the Wasylean parking lot and Sheehan Hall to contact them.