“This was not a random act”: One Injured after Shooting at DSU

DOVER, Del. – Officials say the Delaware State University (DSU) campus is secure after a shooting took place on the campus Monday night.

In a message from University President Dr. Tony Allen, the university community was told one non-student sustained non-life threatening injuries during the shooting. Additionally, a suspect has been identified, several individuals have been detained for questioning, and an investigation is active and ongoing. DSU Police have been coordinating with the Dover Police Department throughout the incident.

While a motive for the shooting has not been determined at this time, Dr. Allen suggested that the act was not random.

“There is a harder truth here, and I will not walk around it: this was not a random act, and the investigation is being handled with commensurate seriousness. While it runs its course, I will say no more and will not speculate about the circumstances,” Dr. Allen said, in part. “But, this I will say plainly: whoever believes a disagreement of any kind should be answered with a firearm has acted against everything for which this University stands.”

Normal operations continued at the school as of Tuesday morning, and there are no plans to cancel upcoming finals. However, the school says that the Academic Affairs team is putting advanced accommodations in place for any students who are not in a position to sit for an in-person final this week. Students are encouraged to use that support, and reach out to their dean or department chair. Additionally, the Counseling Center and Safe Space Coalition are open for anyone who needs to talk.

Local leaders also responded to Monday’s shooting.

“I am relieved to hear the person shot on DSU’s campus last night is expected to recover,” Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride said in a message posted to social media. “As we await more information on what happened, we know this: Public spaces, including college campuses, should be places of safety—not fear.”

WMDT has reached out to the Dover Police Department for further comment on the investigation.

WMDT will continue to report on this story as details are made available.