Morgan State University Cancels Homecoming Activities After Shooting Incident: A Setback for Baltimore HBCUs

Baltimore is home to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These institutions have a rich history and play a significant role Due to a shooting incident that occurred between two events, Morgan State University has made the decision to cancel the majority of its homecoming activities scheduled for this week. Additionally, any activities that were not canceled have been postponed. This decision was made in response to the unfortunate incident, which resulted in five individuals sustaining injuries.

On Friday, the Baltimore Police Department made an announcement regarding a reward of up to $9,000. This reward has been offered by Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The purpose of this reward is to encourage individuals to provide information that will lead to the arrest and charging of the suspects involved in a particular case. 

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Five individuals were wounded as a result of gunfire, specifically four males and one female. Fortunately, the injuries sustained by all five victims were determined to be non-life-threatening. According to the university, four individuals who tragically lost their lives were identified as students. Additionally, it was reported that all five victims were young adults, ranging in age from 18 to 22 years old.

According to Morgan State, as of Friday, the hospital had released four of the victims.

On Tuesday, a noteworthy incident occurred on campus at Morgan State University. The incident unfolded as students were departing from the coronation ceremony of Mister and Miss Morgan State. They were en route to a nearby ball, which was located in close proximity to the Thurgood Marshall Residence Hall and Murphy Fine Arts Center on the school grounds. At 9:27 p.m., the MSUPD promptly arrived at the scene in response to the incident. 

Following the initial incident, law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the campus while students and staff remained in secure locations. Unfortunately, the suspects were not located during this search. As a result, the school made the unprecedented decision to cancel homecoming activities for the first time in its history.

In a statement, Morgan State President David Wilson expressed his regret that all activities related to Homecoming would be canceled or postponed for the first time in the university's history. This decision was made in response to an unfortunate incident, and the activities will resume once the individuals responsible for the incident are identified and held accountable for their actions.

Several events have been canceled, including a concert, parade, and pep rally. Additionally, all other campus events, such as a women's volleyball match and this week's classes, have also been canceled. Two upcoming events at the school, namely the homecoming football game and the 39th annual homecoming gala, have been rescheduled.



Morgan State University has unfortunately experienced gun violence during its homecoming festivities on previous occasions. According to WJZ-TV, there were two separate shooting incidents that occurred in 2021 and 2022, resulting in injuries. The first incident took place in 2021 and involved a student who was injured. The second incident occurred in 2022, specifically during an unsanctioned event held during homecoming. In this incident, a 20-year-old man, who was not a student, sustained injuries.

Following the occurrence in 2022, a series of enhanced security measures were implemented. These measures necessitated the conclusion of events by 7 p.m. and the evacuation of the campus premises by 9 p.m. Additionally, the security enhancements involved the deployment of additional law enforcement personnel, the installation of improved lighting systems, and the enforcement of strict regulations prohibiting smoking, alcohol consumption, and the possession of firearms.

The repeated incidents have caused a sense of insecurity among some individuals on campus, leading them to refrain from participating in various activities.

According to Allie Ball, a resident of Thurgood Marshall Residence Hall, individuals expressed their opinions on social media regarding the occurrence of shootings during Morgan State homecoming, referring to it as a tradition. This statement was made during an interview with WJZ-TV.

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It should be noted that Mr. Wilson emphasized that the shooting incident does not align with the values and principles upheld by Morgan State University.

The occurrence of this tragedy tonight is indeed unfortunate. According to the AP, Mr. Wilson stated that this incident will not define the university's identity.
Alongside the reward announcement, the Boston Police Department (BPD) took the initiative to share a video on YouTube, showcasing the individuals believed to be responsible for the crime.





 

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