1 Dead, 3 Wounded in Northern Arizona Univ. Shooting

The shooting was prompted by a fight between two groups of students.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.—A fight between two groups of Northern Arizona University students has resulted in the fatal shooting of one person. Three other people are injured.

NAU freshman Steven Jones, 18, is in custody in connection with the shooting that happened at 1:20 a.m. on Oct. 9. Jones has been charged with murder and aggravated assault.

The incident took place in a parking lot adjacent to the Mountain View residence hall, which houses many of the school’s fraternity and sorority members, reports PIX11.

Authorities say Jones is cooperating with the investigation. Jones told investigators he was attacked and only fired his weapon after he was hit in the face and chased to his car, according to the NY Daily News.

The injured victims have been identified as Nicholas Prato, Kyle Zientek and Nicholas Piring, reports USA Today. The deceased student has been identified as Colin Brough. All four victims were members of the Delta Chi fraternity. The victims were all shot multiple times, although police said one victim has already been released from the hospital.

Students are concerned that it took four hours for them to receive text alerts about the incident. NAU’s police chief says that although the situation was under control, the emergency notifications were sent out of an abundance of caution. The campus was not placed on lockdown.

Thousands of students attended a candle light vigil on campus October 9.

NAU President Rita Hartung Cheng has issued the following statement regarding the shootings:

We awoke this morning to a terrible tragedy on our Flagstaff campus. As you may know, a shooting occurred in a north campus parking lot early this morning. The suspect is in custody, and there were four victims. One person was killed and three people are being treated at the Flagstaff Medical Center.

We are, of course, shocked and deeply saddened by the circumstances that bring us together this morning. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and our entire Lumberjack family.

We have assured the NAU community that the campus was immediately secured by our police department and classes will go on as scheduled. I am grateful for the collaborative work of our law enforcement officials on campus and in the city of Flagstaff who are investigating this isolated, and unprecedented, incident.

We are sensitive to the tragedy, and we are asking the faculty to be sensitive to the needs of our students and families. This is not going to be a normal day at NAU. Our hearts are heavy.

Support services are currently available to our students through Counseling Services. Faculty and staff can seek support through Employee Assistance and Wellness beginning at 8 a.m.

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