Elizabeth City State University blasted for slow response to active shooter on campus

Daily Mail​

28-04-2025

Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina has been slammed for its slow response after an active shooter stormed the campus early Sunday morning.
At least one person died and six others were injured after a shooting broke out around 12.30am in the center of the historically black university's campus right after Yard Fest - a school spirit event that is part of its week-long Viking Fest celebration.
Mark Hurlbut, a student who was on campus at the time, said he heard the gunshots from his room but was not sent an alert from the school about what was happening until about 30 minutes after shots rang out.
'I heard the gunshots through my window and through the walls. Campus honestly didn't send out any alerts of any kind until maybe 20-30 minutes after it happened,' Hurlbut told WITN.
'I didn't think nothing of it, but then it finally clicked. This happened right outside my door.'
An unidentified 24-year-old man, who was not a student, died in the shooting, the university said.
Four others, including three students, sustained gunshot wounds while two other students were hurt during the 'subsequent commotion,' the school stated.
At least one person is dead and six others were injured after a shooting broke out around 12.30am Sunday in the center of the historically black university's campus
Mark Hurlbut, a student who was on campus at the time, said he heard the gunshots from his room but was not made aware of what was happening until about 30 minutes after shots rang out
None of their injuries were considered life-threatening and all of them were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Their current conditions are unknown.
It is unclear what led up to the shooting or who the suspect is.
DailyMail.com contacted Elizabeth City State University and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for comment.
Another student, Zion Upchurch, told the outlet the violent incident not only scared him but made him sad.
'I had left right before all of this transpired, but I had heard the gunshots from my dorm, and then I had got a phone call saying some people had got shot and I was just trying to figure out who did,' Upchurch recalled.
An unidentified 24-year-old man who was not a student died in the shooting, the university said. It is unclear what led up to the shooting or who the potential suspect could be
Another student, Zion Upchurch told the outlet the violent incident not only scared him but made him sad
'I feel- I'm sad because the person that did pass away doesn't even go here, so it just doesn't make sense.'
Following the shooting, the college took to Facebook and said: 'The university is deeply saddened by this senseless act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all members of the Viking community affected by this tragedy.'
The school said counseling services were available around 10.30am Sunday and also increased control on campus grounds.