Cheyney University says shooting, crash after campus event were isolated incidents, didn't involve students
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a shooting that injured one person and a crash that damaged several cars at Cheyney University Saturday.
Students described a fun-filled weekend that spiraled out of control and sent them running for safety.
A spokesperson for the university said the shooting and the crash were isolated incidents involving people visiting the campus for the HBCU's end-of-year spring celebration, not Cheyney students. A social media post on Cheyney University's Instagram shows an event called May Weekend was scheduled to take place on Saturday. The event was set to include entertainment including a mechanical bull, photo booth, mini golf, giant cornhole and more.
According to the spokesperson, a 19-year-old from Philadelphia was visiting the campus and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound at around 9:45 p.m. The 19-year-old was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
The spokesperson said another visitor was trying to leave campus when they hit several cars in the parking lot. The driver's actions are being investigated as suspected DUI. No one was injured in the crash, but five cars were damaged.
A large police presence was seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday at Cheyney and Creek roads.
"I looked down and just saw everybody running," Christian Harmon-Belcher, a Cheyney student, said. "I don't really know what happened, I just saw everybody running."
Dayijahnae Foraker-Corley said she and a friend were at the celebration but left not long before the shooting took place.
"We also were like grateful we weren't there, we weren't on campus," Foraker-Corley said. "And we were just worried about our friends and everything."
Students said incidents like this are rare at the school and they feel safe on campus.
"We extend our gratitude to the first responders, law enforcement, and medical professionals for their swift and effective assistance. To our community members and visitors, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we address these matters," a statement from the school read in part. "Cheyney University remains a safe space where students are striving in a supportive environment."
Cheyney said staff will learn from the incidents and work to enhance the campus's security.
