Two Delaware State Univ. students shot...guess everyone forgot about the murders last month...

[Lobster Martini]

(LM: Considering that two Delaware State University students were shot this morning and the gunman has not been caught, perhaps it’s not surprising that none of the reports have mentioned the murders…

Strike that! How can you report that two Delaware State University students have been shot today without mentioning the three who were murdered last month? Or the fourth who was shot in the head and survived?

From the (NJ) Star-Ledger:

“…Terrance "T.J." Aeriel, Dashon Harvey and Iofemi Hightower were killed execution-style in a playground behind Mount Vernon School on Aug. 4. “

From USA Today:

“The murders took place around midnight Saturday behind Mount Vernon Elementary School in a middle-class neighborhood. The victims had no record of being in trouble and were seen as success stories for the city's school district.

The four students, ages 18 to 20, were listening to music in a well-lit playground behind the school shortly before midnight, Newark police said.

Three of the friends were lined up against a school wall and killed by gunshots to the head. The murder victims were Terrance Aeriel, 18, Iofemi Hightower, 20, and Dashon Harvey, 20. Natasha Aeriel, 19, Terrance's sister, was shot in the head but survived and was in fair condition Monday at a local hospital. Police were looking for about five men allegedly involved in the killings. (One 15-year-old suspect was later arrested and one 31 year-old suspect surrendered--LM.)

Two of the students were juniors at Delaware State University. Two others planned to attend the school this fall.”

In less than two months, two current students have been killed, one prospective student has been killed, one was shot and survived, one has—according to this morning’s Tee Vee news—life-threatening injuries and one—well, just getting shot is enough to made it a bad day.

Scorecard: Six students shot within two months. Four current students, two prospective students. Three dead, three not dead. Two arrested and one gunman unaccounted for.

There is probably no connection between the two incidents, and that is not a comforting thought.

When I was in college, back in the late Pleistocene era, all I needed to worry about was my GPA.)

Here’s the Delaware State University press release:

TIMELY WARNING NOTIFICATION

Sept. 21, 2007 (5:10 a.m.)
Classes Canceled due to Shooting on Campus(update)

Classes on the Dover campus of Delaware State University have been canceled for Friday, Sept. 21 in the wake of an early morning shooting at the institution that has left two students wounded and a suspect at large. All non-essential personnel are directed not to report to work on this day.

The primary priorities of the University at the point are the safety of the residential student population and the DSU Police investigation of the shooting. DSU Police Department with the assistance of the Dover Police Department are working toward the apprehension of the suspect.

The university is implementing a plan to provide essential services to its residential population on campus. Because the suspect is still at large, residential students are directed to remain in their residence halls for their safety until further notice.

At approximately 12:54 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, the Delaware State University Police Department was notified of an incident in which two students were shot on campus near Memorial Hall. A single male suspect is being sought, but has not yet been apprehended. The investigation is continuing with the assistance of other local police.

A male student and a female student were transported to hospitals within the state. The male student is in stable condition, however, the female student’s injuries are considered serious.

University personnel and students can check of updates on this situation through the DSU Website (www.desu.edu) and through the DSU Snow Phone # at (302) 857-SNOW (7669).

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the DSU Police at 857-6290 or the DSU TIPS Line at 857-7918.

[malaise]

1. Meanwhile Mitch McConnell is on CSpan1 promoting the NRA

More than a few Rethug candidates are also here. Timing is everything.

[Lobster Martini]

2. No cable TeeVee--I know I'm going to regret this, but what's the deal?

I just have to know--he's really talking up the NRA on the same day that two college students were shot? If so, this is my syrup of ipecac, and I will mop the floor later. Say it ain't so, Joe.