WORCESTER, MA – A shooting incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning at Worcester State University, resulting in one fatality and another individual sustaining injuries. The shooting incident prompted the temporary closure of the university’s campus and the cancellation of scheduled events.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. reported that around 2:30 a.m., Worcester State University police received reports of a fight in progress in a campus parking lot. When they got to the scene, responding officers discovered two gunshot victims. Regrettably, one of the victims succumbed to their injuries, while the other underwent surgery at a local hospital and is expected to recover.
Notably, neither of the victims nor the assailants were students of Worcester State University. District Attorney Early emphasized that although the incident transpired on campus, those involved were not affiliated with the university. He further indicated that the shooting did not appear to be a random act of violence, suggesting that the parties knew each other.
Interim Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier disclosed that an individual was arrested near the scene, with authorities recovering a firearm. This person faces charges of trespassing and firearm possession.
State police have identified individuals of interest through video footage and are actively seeking to interview them in connection with the shooting. The incident took place in the vicinity of a parking garage, according to a Massachusetts State Police spokesperson.
The campus issued a shelter-in-place order for all buildings in the early morning hours, advising individuals to remain indoors and away from windows or openings. While the university alert conveyed that there was “no immediate threat to campus,” it did not specify the nature of the incident. The shelter-in-place directive was lifted before 9:30 a.m., with Worcester State University Police Chief Jason Kapurch assuring that the campus was now secure.
However, the university announced that the Wasylean parking lot, situated near Wasylean Hall (a student dormitory) and the university library, would remain closed until further notice. Authorities encouraged anyone with information, videos, or images related to the incident in the Wasylean lot to come forward.
Worcester State University declared its closure for Saturday, including the cancellation of all on and off-campus events. The university was in the midst of hosting homecoming and family weekend activities. Acting university president Lois Wims announced that residence hall services and counseling support were available to students, and online support through ResilientU was accessible. Family and friends were permitted to pick up students at the school’s wellness center.