Shooting At Delta State University: Professor Killed, Campus On Lockdown
A shooting at Delta State University in Mississippi has left a professor dead and the campus on lockdown Monday morning. The university, home to over 4,000 students, is located in Cleveland, Mississippi.
Delta State University earlier confirmed both the shooting and the lockdown status via Twitter.
Emergency management has set up command center. MS Governor’s office and IHL have offered their assistance. Campus remains locked down.
— Delta State (@DeltaState) September 14, 2015
According to NBC news, the shooting victim has been identified as Professor Ethan Schmidt. The Delta State University website lists Schmidt as a professor of American History. According to Fox News, Schmidt was shot as he sat at his desk. He had taught at Delta State since 2013 and was the author of two books about Native American history.
The shooter is still at large, but the suspect has been identified as Shannon Lamb. Lamb was also employed at Delta State University, as a geography instructor. Anyone who has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the police immediately as he is considered armed and dangerous.
Lamb is believed to be driving a 2011 black Dodge Avenger with the license plate number STF015.
Although a clear motive for the Delta State shooting has yet to be determined, police believe Lamb may have been involved in another homicide on Monday, about 300 miles from the university shooting, in the town of Gautier. It looks like it could be a potential love triangle, but the suspect has vowed that he is “not going to jail.”
The school remained on lockdown Monday afternoon, even though investigators believe Lamb had already left the Delta State campus.
The Delta State Twitter account recently updated that classes would be cancelled on Tuesday, following the aftermath of the shootings, and that counselors would be on staff to help affected students.
Classes will be cancelled today and tomorrow, including night classes. Counselors will be here tomorrow at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for groups.
— Delta State (@DeltaState) September 14, 2015
Individual sessions will be available beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Sister universities are sending additional counselors to help.
— Delta State (@DeltaState) September 14, 2015
Michelle Roberts, the vice president of university relations spoke out about the shooting when she said, “We are grieving on this campus with this loss, and our condolences are with the family at this time.”
Our thoughts go out to those affected by the shooting in Mississippi, especially the students and the victim’s family.
Article updated, as details were released. More updates to come as the story develops.
[Photo credit: CNN]
