Morgan State University, in Baltimore, Maryland, enacted a lockdown on the night of October 3, 2023, following a shooting that injured five students amidst homecoming week celebrations.
The shooting took place approximately at 9:25 p.m. The injured students, four men and one woman aged between 18 and 22, were reported to have non-critical injuries. University law enforcement, already on the scene, responded promptly and also enlisted the help of the Baltimore city police. This incident was initially classified as an active shooter event, leading to alerts for everyone on campus to remain inside their locations.
By 11:45 pm, a statement from the police clarified that no current threat persisted. An hour later, the university removed the lockdown and resumed its shuttle services. Unofficial statements from City Council Member Ryan Dorsey indicated a possibility of three shooters, but this has not been confirmed.
Earlier that day, Morgan State University held an event celebrating the crowning of Mister and Miss Morgan State. During a media briefing, University President David Wilson described that the affected students were in transit from the earlier event to the Student Center when the shooting happened. Due to the incident, all classes for the subsequent day were canceled. The university is providing counseling services for students in need.
The local CBS outlet, WJZ, reported seeing a bullet hole on the seventh floor of a freshman dormitory. It is still uncertain if the shots originated from inside or outside of this building. Preliminary findings from the ongoing investigation suggest the possibility of a targeted shooting. However, the definitive motive and the precise number of participants remain subjects of investigation.