Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State University police officers are investigating reports of an early morning weapons discharge and attempted abduction Saturday [Nov. 1] on campus.
Police received a report at approximately 4 a.m. Saturday that a shot had been fired in a parking area behind Hathorn Hall, a residence hall on the southern part of the MSU campus.
"Our preliminary interviews with witnesses indicate that a female student, 18, was on the passenger side of a vehicle when approached by a male she described as African-American, wearing black clothing with a bandana covering his face," said Georgia Lindley, MSU Chief of Police.
"Another student, a male, was some distance away waiting for her," she continued. "The black male showed the female a gun and asked her to leave with him. She quickly ran toward her male friend, also 18. Both reported hearing a shot fired as they left the area."
Lindley said MSU and local law enforcement officers are conducting an aggressive investigation to locate the suspect. "We encourage anyone with more information to call us at 325-2121."
She urged individuals on campus to be aware of their surroundings, especially at night, and not to travel on foot alone. MSU provides police escort services at night, and there are highly visible blue-light emergency stations around the campus.
"Safety should always be a top priority," she said. MSU is announcing the incident through its Maroon Alert emergency communication system.
Thousands of football fans are at the university today for the 1:30 p.m. Southeastern Conference football game between MSU and Kentucky at Davis Wade Stadium.
"Our police officers will be very visible, and, as always, we will put the safety of individuals first," said Mike White, MSU Dean of Students and a member of the university's Crisis Action Team.