Student Shot on JSU's Campus

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that a Jackson State student was shot in the Student Union on Friday.
Here's the article:

August 26, 2005

Man shot in chest on JSU campus

The Clarion-Ledger

A man was shot in the chest today on the Jackson State University campus during an altercation in the student union's first floor, officials said.

It wasn't immediately known if the man, transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, was a JSU student. His condition also was not immediately known.

The shooting apparently occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on the first floor of the student union near the campus bookstore.

"We have one young man in the hospital, and one young man in custody," JSU President Ronald Mason said.

"I don't know the reason. It's a real tragic thing."

Campus police apprehended the alleged gunman, Mason said. It was not immediately known if he was a JSU student.

Gabrielle Frazier, a sophomore English major from Jackson, said she is a friend of the victim, but knows only his first name. She said the victim is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

"When I got out of class, people were running and saying somebody was shot. I don't understand why anybody would shoot him," Frazier said. "He's an outgoing guy, and a lot of people know him. I'm still in shock."

Mason said the shooting does not represent usual activities on the state's only urban university campus.

"We have a solid security force . . . guard booths at every entrance. What else we could do, I don't know," Mason said.

Students echoed his sentiments.

"I still feel it's a very secure campus," said Kori Nichols , a senior biology major.

Java Chatman, a senior elementary education major from Jackson, said shootings can happen anywhere. "There are guns around (campus), and there are guns out on the street," he said.

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