Savannah State University Shooting: Christopher Starks Killed, Gunman Still At Large
A Savannah State University student was shot and killed late last night at the student union on the campus.
The Savannah State University shooting victim, Christopher Starks, was a junior from Atlanta, according to CNN. Starks was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Christopher Starks, junior at Savannah State University, shot and killed. Pic RT via @ambrose03 pic.twitter.com/guooQSzvzQ
— Lisa Vikingstad (@LisaVikingstad) August 28, 2015
Loretta Heyward, a spokeswoman for the Savannah school, said the shooting occurred after an altercation at the student union. No arrests have yet been made in the Georgia university shooting case. Both the Savannah State University police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case.
Christopher Starks, a junior at Savannah State University, shot and killed in the school’s student union. No arrests. pic.twitter.com/1I8OFgOyvF
— Lisa Vikingstad (@LisaVikingstad) August 28, 2015
Heyward also stated that university officials have few details about the shooting at the Savannah State student union, according to a New York Times report.
Authorities investigating after student is killed in shooting at Savannah State University: http://t.co/lsQYoAxWQ9
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) August 28, 2015
“While it may be natural to want to defend an associate, the lack of disclosure may do more harm than good in the long run,” the university spokeswoman added.
#SSU classes delayed until 10 am; prayer vigil to be held at Unity Plot at noon for junior Christopher Starks.More at http://t.co/H6KNPAzW21
— The Tiger’s Roar (@SSUTigersRoar) August 28, 2015
The Savannah State University (SSU) campus was placed on lockdown after the shooting, but the order was reportedly lifted shortly after midnight.
“Savannah State President Dr. Cheryl Davenport-Dozier arrived on campus at 11:45 p.m. Thursday to speak with students about the incident,” a report by Tiger’s Roar, the campus student newspaper, notes.
Here is an excerpt from a statement from the university about the student union shooting.
“The safety of those who live, study, work and visit Savannah State University remains a top priority – no exceptions. Savannah State University has zero tolerance for violence of any kind. If students are aware of the presence of weapons, please think and act responsibly to disclose such information to a member of the faculty, staff or administration, or other figure of authority. While it may be natural to want to protect an associate, the lack of disclosure may do more harm than good in the long run. Therefore, anyone with information about the incident should contact the SSU Police Department.”
Savannah State University is a four-year state school which is a reportedly known as a “historically black university.” The university is the oldest public historically black university in Georgia. The school is also a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
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