Two men have been detained in a shooting at Bethune-Cookman University that left three students injured. The shooting was reported around 7 p.m. Monday.
Witnesses heard six to seven gunshots as three bystanders were shot near the campus’s music building, officials said.
Classes resumed today at their normal times as a town hall meeting was held late this morning.
“Our public safety officers responded swiftly to secure the campus and we are grateful that the injuries sustained by our students were non-life threatening. As a community we will gather to remind our students of the importance of upholding the core values on which this university was built,” Bethune-Cookman University President Edison Jackson said.
The school is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the shooter.
Students at fellow HBCUs took to social media in an effort to send prayers and respect to the private university in Daytona.
Florida A&M University students have taken to Twitter and Instagram respectively to show their love, support and concerns to the sister HBCU.
“A school shooting is never news that a student wants to hear. Whether it is at our neighboring university across the tracks or our rival university four hours away, our emotions are the still the same,” said Cashata Pease, a senior political science pre-law student from Tallahassee.
With the passing of the guns on campus bill just a week ago, it’s not surprise that many students are left uneasy and worried that if the bill reaches the House and passes, it could be a turn for the worse with gun violence on Florida colleges and universities.
“I just want to feel safe and know that my university is a place for education and higher learning,” said Pease. She believes this recent shooting will hopefully change the minds of many representatives and make them reconsider the bill.
