Delaware State reopens after Friday’s shootings
Classes are resuming today at Delaware State University, three days after two freshman students were shot on the campus.
Classes are resuming today at Delaware State University, three days after two freshman students were shot on the campus.
Delaware State authorities interviewed a "third person of interest" yesterday. The person was released and was "very helpful," university spokesman Carlos Holmes said.
University police, who are working with the Dover, Del., police, have not made an arrest.
"I am very hopeful of a break in the case. Our investigators are working very diligently," Holmes said.
The shootings occurred shortly before 1 a.m. Friday as a group of students walked across campus after leaving the Village Cafe dining hall.
Shalita Middleton, 17, was shot twice in the abdomen and remains in serious condition. Nathaniel Pugh, also 17, was shot once in the ankle and is in stable condition.
Police earlier questioned and released two students described as "persons of interest." Police have not labeled anyone a suspect.
"Police are working toward the arrest of the suspect. We believe he is a male, and there's a good possibility that he is a Delaware State University student," Holmes said.
Police have questioned Pugh and "he answered their questions," Holmes said. Police have not spoken to Middleton and won't "until doctors give them the clearance to do so," he said.
Holmes also said that "at this point we are not prescribing to the theory that it was a territorial or turf dispute." Both victims were from the District of Columbia.
Delaware State is a historically black university founded in 1891 and has 3,700 students.
In coming days, university officials plan to talk with students about campus issues in an effort to prevent further incidents, Holmes said.
