BREAKING: Student Shot and Killed at Broad Street Books; Spring Fling Cancelled

UPDATE 7:48pm

The latest phone/e-mail update:

Based upon additional information found processing the crime scene, we would recommend Wesleyan students and Middletown residents remain vigilant. The suspect is at large and considered armed and dangerous. Students and the Wesleyan community are advised to remain indoors while Middletown Police continue this investigation.

UPDATE 6:55pm
Latest text message: "Urgent security update at 6:50pm. Please check voicemail or e-mail immediately." No calls yet, and no e-mail either...

UPDATE 5:11pm
Another all-campus e-mail just went out:

According to the Middletown Police Department at this time there is no reason to believe that the perpetrator of the shooting at Broad Book Street Books is on the Wesleyan campus. We are advised that students may return to their normal routines, though we ask everyone to be vigilant and safety conscious. With that in mind, you may notice increased presence of Public Safety and Middletown Police officers on campus.

The Library and the Freeman Athletic Center are closed for the remainder of the day. Meal service has been moved to the Usdan University Center.

There will be additional announcements via email as information becomes available.

UPDATE 3:21pm

From an all-campus e-mail:

This is an update of the emergency notification sent earlier this afternoon. A Wesleyan student was fatally shot at Red and Black Café this afternoon. The name of the student will be released upon notification of her immediate family. A gun was recovered at the scene of the shooting, however the suspect is still at large. Students, faculty and staff are urged to remain indoors while Middletown Police continue to search for suspect(s). All campus events scheduled for today, including Spring Fling, are canceled.

Michael Roth
President

UPDATE 2:49pm The Hartford Courant reports: Student Shot Dead Near Wesleyan:

MIDDLETOWN - A Wesleyan student was shot and killed in a midday shooting at a popular bookstore near the Wesleyan University campus around 1 p.m. today, police sources said.

A witness said someone entered Broad Street Books, at the intersection of Broad and William Street, approached a woman behind the counter and fired multiple shots.

Police are still searching for the gunman, whom they describe as a white male with a thin build. They recovered a gun at the scene, said Middletown Police Lt. Margaret Liseo. Police have cordoned off the area, she said.

All schools in Middletown were locked down as a precaution, Liseo said. A statement from Wesleyan University recommended that students and staff should remain indoors and remain there until further notice.

Police and medical personnel have temporarily closed nearby streets. Officers appeared briefly on the roof of Broad Street Books. Armed officers in fatigues are in the area, and two officers followed a police dog as it ran up William Street, apparently in pursuit of the suspect. Police said the gunman was a white male with a thin build.

The university also canceled the annual “Spring Fling” outdoor party on campus. Hundreds of students had gathered on campus for the event that started at noon today but were ordered to go indoors after the shooting.

I just got a text message from the Wesleyan emergency system that reads:

There has been a shooting near campus. Students, faculty and staff should remain indoors. Check e-mail for additional info.

The first e-mail just came in:

This is Mike Whaley, VP for Student Affairs with a Wesleyan Community Alert.

Middletown Police has notified the University that a shooting occurred just after 1:00pm today in the area of Broad Street Books. The suspect has not yet been identified. Middletown Police have responded to the area. We advise students, faculty and staff to remain indoors until more information is available.

As more information is obtained the community will be notified via e-mail.

Listen to the voice message that went out as an emergency notification here.

I’m off campus, so in addition to these messages, all I’ve heard is that the hill was cleared off.

Feel free to share updates/info in the comments of this post.

UPDATE from WFSB:

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Police said a woman was shot in a Middletown bookstore on Wednesday afternoon.

The shooting took place at about 1 p.m. in Broad Street Books, Wesleyan University’s bookstore.

The victim said she didn’t know the shooter.