Photo Credit: WCVB-TV
Worcester, Massachusetts — Authorities in Massachusetts are investigating an 18-year-old man who is expected to be charged in connection with a deadly shooting that appeared in the residence area of Worcester State University on October 29.
Kevin Rodriguez, who was recognized to live in Lawrence, is expected on charges of criminal activity of a firearm, and armed assault with the purpose of manslaughtering a 19-year-old Randy Armando Melendez Jr., of Southbridge.
The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office reported Rodiguez must be perceived as handcuffed and threatening anyone who finds him, please directly call 911. Worcester State University made a statement that all day and evening classes were postponed on October 30.
District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. stated that at 2:30 a.m., early Saturday morning, Worcester State University police recovered a car that was based on a fight that occurred in a campus parking lot. When the responding officer arrived on the site, he discovered that two victims had been shot.
State police reported both the shooting victims were taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center. While Melendez succumbed to his injuries, the second victim, a 21-year-old man who was undergoing surgery, is expected to survive.
“Neither one of them is a Worcester State University student. With regards to this, both assailants and [victims] are not university students,” the district attorney said. “Although this occurred on campus, again, they are not university students.”
Interim Worcester police Chief Paul Saucier explained one person was charged close to the scene, and a firearm was improved. Saucier mentioned that the person was arrested for trespassing and possession of a firearm.
Earlier reports state that the police had classified people of appeal who were caught on video and are looking to take their interviews to inquire more about the shooting incident.
A Massachusetts State Police spokesperson reported the double shooting took place at the location of the parking garage.
The campus addressed a shelter-in-place order for the entire building early Saturday morning, asking people to be indoors and to avoid windows or openings.
The university alert reported that “there was no immediate threat to campus”, and therefore, it did not identify the classification of this horrific incident.
The shelter-in-place was elevated directly before 9:30 a.m., and Worcester State University police Chief Jason Kapurch explained that authorities think the campus is now in a safe environment.
The university officials stated that the Wasylean parking lot needs to be closed until further notice. The parking lot is next to Wasylean Hall, a residence hall, and the Learning Resource Center, the university’s library.
“Anyone with knowledge, video, or images of the Wasylean Hall are asked to come forward to WSU staff and WSUPD in the Sheehan Multipurpose Room,” an awareness on the University’s website explained.
Kapurch mentioned that the university’s police department could be called at (508) 929-8911.
Authorities explained any information about the shooting incident, photos, or video, across the location of Wasylean Hall, and Sheehan Hall should be reported to the Worcester police, state police, the conclusion of who could be contacted at (508) 929-8326.
Worcester State was placed to host homecoming, and family weekend when the shooting happened.
Lois Wims, the acting president of the university explained that they can access the residence hall for students, and counseling can be done in Sheehan Hall. Students were also available for online support through ResilientU. Family and friends could take up students at the university’s wellness center.
The Worcester County District Attorney's Office, multiple Massachusetts State Police units, the Worcester Police Department, and the Worcester State University Police Department are all investigating the shooting incident.
“If anyone has details about Rodriguez’s location, please call the state police detectives at (508) 453-7589 or the State Police Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-527-8873,” the police suggested.
18-year-old wanted in deadly shooting at Worcester State University
19-year-old killed in shooting on Mass. college campus identified
Edited by: Soumya Parija
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