DOVER, Del. (KYW Newsradio) — Police are investigating a shooting on the campus of Delaware State University that left an 18-year-old woman dead. She was not a student at the school, officials said. In response to the incident, the university closed the campus for visitors on Sunday and canceled classes on Monday.
Dover police were called to the campus around 2 a.m. Sunday in the area of one of the residential buildings, Warren-Franklin Hall. The victim had been shot in the upper body, police said. She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The victim was later identified as Camay Mitchell DeSilva, of Wilmington. Officials said she was visiting the school.
“Although she was not one of our students, she was a daughter, a beloved family member, and a friend; and, senselessly, her life was cut short. We should pray for better days and pray for the safety and well-being of our campus as a whole,” Dr. Tony Allen, Delaware State University president, said in a message to the school community.
Police and university officials have not gone into detail about the circumstances leading up to the shooting. It’s not exactly clear who was involved. Allen, in his statement, said the “assailants fled,” and he asked that students, staff and anyone who may have information about the incident call police.
“An event that affects the safety of one of us affects all of us,” Allen stated. “That means each of us is responsible for holding one another accountable, saying so when something does not seem, sound, or look right, and denying wrongdoing in all its forms, no matter the person or the circumstance.”
Monday classes have been canceled. Counseling services are available for students.
Allen said the university would share any available updates at a scheduled forum on Tuesday for students, parents and faculty.