Morgan State University, a historically Black college in Baltimore, Maryland, went into lockdown Tuesday night, October 3, 2023 after five students were shot on campus during homecoming week.

The incident occurred around 9:25 p.m. Five students, ranging in age from 18 to 22, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. University police, who were on patrol at the time, quickly took action and sought assistance from the Baltimore city police. The event was initially approached as an active shooter situation, prompting advisories for students and residents to stay indoors.

By 11:45 pm the police issued a statement affirming that there was no active threat present. By 12:30 am the university had lifted the lockdown and restarted its shuttle services. There was mention of three potential shooters by City Council Member Ryan Dorsey, but this information has yet to be confirmed by official sources.

Earlier on the day of the shooting, the university had celebrated the crowning of Mister and Miss Morgan State. Addressing the situation in a press conference, University president David Wilson shared that the students were moving from this event to the Student Center when they were caught in the incident. The shooting has had its effects on the ongoing homecoming festivities, and led the university to cancel the next day’s classes. Additionally, counseling services were offered to support affected students.

CBS’s local station, WJZ, observed a bullet hole in a window on the seventh floor of a freshman dormitory. The exact origin of the shots, whether from within the dorm or outside, remains unclear. As authorities delve deeper into the investigation, initial findings lean towards the shooting potentially being a targeted event. Nonetheless, the concrete motive and the number of shooters involved are still under review.