Key Takeaways:
– Samuel Harris, not a Kennesaw State student, is identified as the suspect in a shooting on the college’s campus, causing a female student’s death.
– Kennesaw State University officials placed the campus under a secure-in-place alert after the incident.
– The authorities apprehended Harris off-campus, according to jail records.
– The university provides support and counseling services for those affected by the tragic event.
In an incident that shocked the Kennesaw State University community, a female student was shot to death on the Georgia campus on May 18. Samuel Harris, who is not a student at the university, has been identified as the suspect by KSU officials.
Unraveling the Incident
Around 4 p.m. on the respective day, the Kennesaw State University Police Department issued an alert, instructing the campus community to seek shelter due to the presence of an armed intruder. The incident took place in front of the Austin Residence Complex, a housing facility for students on the Kennesaw campus, following a dispute.
The initial alert read, “KSU Alert: Kennesaw Campus: Armed intruder reported at Kennesaw State. Seek shelter in a secure location until further notice.” A later notification confirmed the suspect was no longer a threat, but advised avoiding the South Campus Housing area due to ongoing police activity.
Suspect Apprehended
The university’s emergency management office identified Samuel Harris as the suspect and revealed that he had been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Cobb County police arrested Harris off-campus, according to booking records at Cobb County Jail.
Harris, a resident of Cairo, Georgia, born in 2003, was lodged into jail on the same day at 11:39 p.m. His bond status was listed as “no bond.” The charges levied against him were murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm/knife during the commission of a crime.
The University’s Response
In light of the incident, Kennesaw State University has been taking steps to ensure the mental well-being of its students. The university’s counseling and psychological services’ on-campus officers are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The university said, “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” expressing profound regret for the tragedy.
Continuous Investigation
Following Harris’s arrest, Kennesaw State University Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are working together to further probe the incident. The motive behind the fatal shooting remains unclear, and the identity of the victim remains to be disclosed.
Moments of immense tragedy and loss invariably demand resilience, unity, and mutual support. While the campus community comes to terms with this appalling incident, it is crucial for everyone, students and staff alike, to look out for each other as investigations progress and justice unfolds.