Three Waynesburg University students injured in Indiana County shooting
Sean Stipp/Trib Live via AP
Debris, mixed with personal items including shoes, are scattered after a fatal shooting near the Chevy Chase Community Center in White Township, Indiana County, on Sunday.
The scene of a fatal shooting at the Chevy Chase Community Center in White Township, Indiana County, Pa., Sunday
Sean Stipp/TribLIVE.com via AP
A trooper from the Pennsylvania State Police Reconstruction Unit works at the crime scene of a fatal shooting at the Chevy Chase Community Center on Sunday.
Three Waynesburg University students were among eight injured in a mass shooting that also killed one person early Sunday morning in Indiana County.
The Indiana County coroner identified the fatal shooting victim as Jamar Montae Porterfield Herriot Jr., 22, of Homestead. His death was ruled a homicide.
The coroner described the gathering at the Chevy Chase Community center as a party.
The community center is less than two miles from the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
State police have not identified those injured in the 12:35 a.m. shooting, but they range in age from 18 to 23. Most of them are from Pennsylvania except two 18-year-old males, one of whom is from Chicago and another, Florida. Police said the Chicago man is in critical condition.
The victims were transported to several different hospitals: Indiana Regional Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Mercy and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Police said some have been released after receiving treatment.
A statement from Stacey Brodak, Waynesburg University’s vice president for institutional advancement and university relations, confirmed that three students who attend the school were among the injured.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the individuals involved. We wish these victims and their families strength and comfort as they deal with this tragic event. Out of respect for the privacy of these individuals, we have no further comment at this time,” Brodak said.
Michelle Fryling, executive director of media relations for IUP, said two IUP students were also injured. Fryling clarified that Herriot was not a current or former student.
According to Fryling, the gathering was not sanctioned by the university and took place off campus.
Fryling said the university began sending out text message alerts to students at 1:40 a.m.
In a letter to students, IUP Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Segar offered resources for counseling and mental health treatment.
“I want to share with you that the two persons injured during last night’s incident are students. We will work with them and their families to provide appropriate support,” Segar wrote to students. “IUP is a community that cares about one another. Your safety and security is our priority, and we continue to look for ways to improve our processes. Because we are a community, we welcome – we need – your help.”
As of Monday’s deadline, there were no suspects in custody in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police Indiana barracks at 724-357-1960.