Update on SU student Kristen Loetz
Noon
An Update from President Janet Dudley-Eshbach:
Dear Members of the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Campus Community:
Our prayers and condolences go out to the families and friends of those impacted by last evening’s tragic off-campus shooting. Sadly, relationship violence is a national issue and our campus is not immune to it.
Last night around 6 p.m. a ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ student, Kristen Loetz, was seriously wounded and two male non-students killed following an argument at a residence on Onley Road, according to reports from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. Charles Jacob Abbott, 19, of Hebron, was shot by Ryan Shallue of Stevensville, who then shot himself, reports indicated. Although the two young men are not registered as SU students, their deaths, too, are tragic.
A campus vigil is being planned for tonight at 7 p.m. in Red Square. Kristen, an honors student majoring in nursing, has been actively involved in campus life. We hope the vigil will offer some comfort for the entire campus community. The University’s Counseling Center is open on a walk-in basis for those seeking support and guidance.
Let us hope for Kristen’s full recovery and healing for all the family members and friends of these three individuals. Relationship violence and societal violence in general are far too prevalent and are antithetical to the values and purpose of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥.
Janet Dudley-Eshbach, Ph.D.
President
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥
Tuesday, September 3
10 p.m.
A Message from President Janet Dudley-Eshbach:
Dear Members of the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Campus Community,
Many of you have heard about this evening’s shooting on Onley Road, near campus. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office has described this as a murder-suicide. The alleged perpetrator no longer poses a threat to the campus or the greater community, as he is one of the deceased. Neither of the two individuals who died is believed to be a ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ student. I am, however, saddened to inform you that another victim is an SU student. She has been flown to the University of Maryland Medical Center Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. We extend our compassion and prayers to the victims' and student’s families and friends.
The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Police Department continue to investigate the incident with the full cooperation of the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Police Department and all other appropriate campus offices.
This terrible news is shocking, and I remind our students that they are not alone in their feelings. The Counseling Center is open this evening and also will be open tomorrow for those seeking comfort and guidance. We are a caring community and I know we will support one another following this tragedy.
I will send you more information as it becomes available.
Janet Dudley-Eshbach, Ph.D.
President
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥
8:10 p.m.
Update: The investigation thus far reveals that no continuing threat exists to the campus community. Authorities still ask that the Onley Road area be avoided as the investigation continues.
7:45 p.m.
Special Bulletin: Police are investigating a shooting in the area of Onley Road. Authorities ask that the area be avoided as the investigation continues. There is no further information to report at this time.