February 11, 2009 2:35 PM
- Text
College Shooting In Phoenix Wounds 3
(CBS/AP)
A man shot three people Thursday in a computer room at a Phoenix community college, injuring two of them critically, authorities said. The gunman fled but a suspect was arrested nearby.
The shooting at South Mountain Community College was part of a running dispute between the suspect and one of the victims, said Sgt. Andy Hill, a spokesman for the Phoenix Police Department.
"This was not a random shooter going around the campus shooting," Hill said.
Two of the injured people were struck by stray bullets, he said.
"I saw someone get punched and then I heard three shots after that," said student Yessenia Lara, 18. "Everybody basically ducked, and the shooter got away." She said the victims were yelling in pain.
The suspect was arrested at a home a few miles away, police spokesman Reuben Gonzales said. He had no details about the arrest.
The suspect's identity wasn't released.
The suspect's father was also taken into custody, according to CBS affiliate KPHO-TV.
A 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were in critical condition, and a 17-year-old boy was in stable condition, said Mark Faulkner, a division chief for the Phoenix Fire Department. No other information on their injuries was available.
The victims were taken to a county hospital, Faulkner said.
Officers said they believe the shooting was gang-related, reports KPHO-TV. Police said the gunman had targeted one of the victims, and the other two victims got caught in the crossfire.
College spokesman Robert Pryce said the school was in lockdown for about an hour, meaning doors were locked and people weren't allowed to go in or out.
About 20 to 30 people were in the computer lab during the shooting and as many as 300 people were on campus, he said.
Pryce couldn't say whether the suspect was a student. The computer lab is open to the public.
An electronic sign outside the school said all classes were canceled Thursday and students could be seen leaving the campus calmly about 90 minutes after the shooting. Pryce said the campus would be closed on Friday, which is typical during the summer.
Situated at the base of Phoenix's South Mountain, the college has more than 8,000 students. Most students are seeking associate degrees and certificates of completion.
The shooting at South Mountain Community College was part of a running dispute between the suspect and one of the victims, said Sgt. Andy Hill, a spokesman for the Phoenix Police Department.
"This was not a random shooter going around the campus shooting," Hill said.
Two of the injured people were struck by stray bullets, he said.
"I saw someone get punched and then I heard three shots after that," said student Yessenia Lara, 18. "Everybody basically ducked, and the shooter got away." She said the victims were yelling in pain.
The suspect was arrested at a home a few miles away, police spokesman Reuben Gonzales said. He had no details about the arrest.
The suspect's identity wasn't released.
The suspect's father was also taken into custody, according to CBS affiliate KPHO-TV.
A 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were in critical condition, and a 17-year-old boy was in stable condition, said Mark Faulkner, a division chief for the Phoenix Fire Department. No other information on their injuries was available.
The victims were taken to a county hospital, Faulkner said.
Officers said they believe the shooting was gang-related, reports KPHO-TV. Police said the gunman had targeted one of the victims, and the other two victims got caught in the crossfire.
College spokesman Robert Pryce said the school was in lockdown for about an hour, meaning doors were locked and people weren't allowed to go in or out.
About 20 to 30 people were in the computer lab during the shooting and as many as 300 people were on campus, he said.
Pryce couldn't say whether the suspect was a student. The computer lab is open to the public.
An electronic sign outside the school said all classes were canceled Thursday and students could be seen leaving the campus calmly about 90 minutes after the shooting. Pryce said the campus would be closed on Friday, which is typical during the summer.
Situated at the base of Phoenix's South Mountain, the college has more than 8,000 students. Most students are seeking associate degrees and certificates of completion.
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