Local, state and federal law enforcement swarmed the locked-down Mississippi University for Women campus Friday afternoon investigating a reported shooting authorities now believe may have been self-inflicted.
The shooting occurred outside Whitfield Hall, at the intersection of College and 11th streets in south Columbus just before 1 p.m. The victim, a former MUW student according to Executive Director of University Relations Anika Perkins, was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. Meanwhile officers from MUW Police Department, Columbus Police Department, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to the university and began conducting a building-by-building sweep of the campus.
MUW Police Chief Randy Vibrock said police responded to the scene within two minutes of receiving the report.
The university’s W Alert System, a Twitter handle for dispensing information on campus emergencies, initially described the suspect as a white male wearing blue jeans and an orange hoodie. Later that evening, MUW and CPD released a joint statement saying authorities were investigating the possibility the victim may have shot himself.
“There is not immediate danger to the public regarding the MUW incident today,” CPD Chief Fred Shelton said in the statement. “Business can be conducted per normal and there’s no need for businesses to lock their doors. The case is still under investigation.”
When the shooting was initially reported, the university immediately went into lockdown, which was lifted at about 3:30 p.m. Emergency personnel remained active on campus until the lockdown was lifted.
Students don’t return to classes until Jan. 15 but some staff members were working on campus.
Police received reports of sightings of the reported suspect both downtown and on 11th Street South just off campus. Both were false alarms.
MUW Police Department is the lead agency investigating the shooting, with other law enforcement agencies assisting.
Possible self-inflicted shooting
Though it’s possible the victim shot himself, authorities have not confirmed that is what happened.
Police at the scene found a weapon in the victim’s vehicle, according to the statement authorities released Friday night. Shelton said investigators are currently running tests to determine if the gun was the one used in the shooting.
Authorities did not release more information, including whether investigators believe the shooting was accidental.
According to university policy, individuals with enhanced concealed carry permits are allowed to carry concealed weapons in public areas on campus but not in classrooms or administrative buildings, Perkins told The Dispatch Saturday. However, she added, university students, faculty and staff are not allowed to carry firearms at any time, even if they have an enhanced carry permit.
Neither Shelton nor Vibrock would comment whether the individual shot will face charges related to making a false report to the police if it turns out he shot himself.
“Right now our focus is working through the investigation to determine what actually happened,” Vibrock said in a statement released through Perkins.
District Attorney Scott Colom also said whether the individual faces charges — and what those charges would be — would depend on what police find during the investigation. He said it would be up to MUW police to charge the victim with making a false report, a misdemeanor, meaning his office wouldn’t be involved at all.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
READER FAVORITES
Related Photos
Police tape blocks College Street in front of Whitfield Hall Friday afternoon. The campus was placed on lockdown after reports of a shooting in front of Whitfield Hall, which houses Rent Auditorium. Photo by: Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
Police tape blocks College Street in front of Whitfield Hall Friday afternoon. The campus was placed on lockdown after reports of a shooting in front of Whitfield Hall, which houses Rent Auditorium. Photo by: Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
Investigators search a truck parked on College Street across from Whitfield Hall on Mississippi University for Women's campus where a shooting occurred Friday afternoon. Investigators now believe the victim may have shot himself, after they found a gun in his vehicle. Photo by: Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
Fred Shelton
Randy Vibrock
Anika Perkins
