Purdue University Shooting UPDATE: Deceased Victim Likely Targeted By Suspected Gunman in Custody
ByOne person has been confirmed dead in the shooting incident Tuesday at Purdue University, while the suspect remains uncooperative in police custody.
Initial reports of the shooting said someone was taken from the scene in an ambulance, but neither police nor the school could confirm any injuries. A little more than two hours after the shooting was first reported, RTV6 reported one victim, a man, was dead following the shooting.
Names have not been released for the victim or suspect at this time.
The school alerted the entire campus around noon after shots were fired in or near the Electrical Engineering (EE) building. Police say the uncooperative suspect in custody acted alone and likely knew the victim.
"We need to let the investigators do their job so we can make sure everything is done right," Purdue University Police Chief John Cox told RTV6.
It is still unclear what exactly happened, but a witness said she was in a lecture hall when she heard a commotion involving police officers in the hallway.
"We heard two or three policemen screaming, 'Get down, get down,'" freshman Nicki Heston said. "We went to the door to see what was going on outside."
According to the Associated Press, Fox said the suspect may have targeted one individual and had no intention of attacking anyone else.
"The individual entered the facility and took the actions that he took, and then immediately left the facility without any other interaction that we're aware of," Cox said.
Purdue University issued a shelter in place around 12:30 p.m. and lifted it at 1:15 p.m., according to the school's website. By 2:00 p.m., the campus was declared safe, although the EE building remained closed due to a precautionary police search.
According to RTV6, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence issued a statement regarding Tuesday's events at the school.
"Today's shooting at Purdue University is a tragedy, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the victim and to everyone in the Purdue community," the statement read. "I commend the professionalism of the Purdue University Police Department in apprehending the suspect and bringing the situation to a swift conclusion. The Indiana State Police are on the scene and will continue to assist local law enforcement with the ongoing investigation."