USC Shooting: No Charges Filed Yet Against Suspects
(IMAGES OF ARRESTS at bottom) Two suspects detained in connection with a shooting on the University of Southern California campus that left four people wounded late Wednesday night remained in custody Thursday morning as police interviewed them and other witnesses, an L.A. Police Department spokeswoman said.
No charges have been filed. It's unclear if either of the suspects detained is the alleged gunman. Police said early Thursday that the gunman targeted one victim specifically, who was in critical condition and underwent surgery. That person is former Crenshaw High football player Geno Hall. He was a teammate of current USC football player Hayes Pullard. Head coach Lane Kiffin refused to let players comment on the situation Thursday.
Three other bystanders also suffered wounds.
A source told Neon Tommy Thursday morning that a gun has been recovered.
USC and L.A. Police Department said no press conference was scheduled for Thursday morning.
Information regarding the event at which the shooting stemmed from has been scant, but according to the party's All Events page, the "Freak or Geek" gathering was put together by the event group LAHYPE and the USC Black Student Assembly.
Per the event page:
"WE ARE BACK for HALLOWEEN NIGHT for a official College Costume Party featuring some of the most creative costumes a eventful night full of "FREAKS, GREEKS, and ATHLETES" on Halloween Night spread the HYPE and get prepared for the PARTY of 2012 on USC Campus..."
USC President C.L. Max Nikias said that "University policy requires that any student parties on campus be open only to guests with student IDs from USC or another university. The individuals involved were not admitted to the party at any time."
In a statement posted online, Nikias said:
We are now carefully assessing and reviewing all of the university’s policies regarding visitors and events held on campus.
...
Although this incident did not involve USC students and was resolved quickly, it strikes at the heart of the Trojan Family. I understand the apprehensions and concerns of our campus community as we move forward.
Michael Jackson, USC Vice President for Student Affairs, described the event this way in an online statement:
The incident occurred outside a Halloween student party at the Tutor Campus Center. Several officers from the Department of Public Safety were monitoring the area near the party. The officers witnessed the shooting and apprehended two suspects as they fled the scene.
USC has prided itself in having an open campus. Members of adjacent communities are often seen playing soccer or using the track in the middle of campus. Elementary and middle school students from nearby schools regularly pass through campus. USC's 24-hour library is open to non-students, non-staff and non-faculty, except from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Many other campuses around the country have stricter policies in place to limit the number of non-students on campus during the day or at night.
--Sarah Parvini and Paresh Dave
Courtesy of Joseph Chen\Daily Trojan: