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TUESDAY COVERAGE: 2 dead, 4 injured after gunman opens fire at UNCC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials said two people were killed and four were injured in a shooting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Tuesday. Police said three of the people who were hurt are in critical condition.

Officials said the suspected shooter was taken into custody.

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The alleged shooter has been identified by a police source as 22-year-old Trystan A. Terrell.

Police said they responded to an active shooter call just after 5:40 p.m. Tuesday inside the Kennedy building on Library Lane.

“Run, Hide, Fight. Secure yourself, immediately,” officials at UNCC tweeted.

The campus was locked down for hours. The university tweeted around 11 p.m. that all occupants on campus could depart.

Channel 9 was there as Terrell was brought to jail. So far, no details have been released about a possible motive in the shooting

(Video of the suspected shooter below)

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the campus is secure and there's no reason to believe anyone else was involved.

[UNCC Alert web page]

[UNCC Alerts Twitter page]

[Chopper 9 photos: 2 dead, 4 injured in shooting at UNCC, shooter ID'd, sources says]

UPDATES:

12:30 a.m.: LYNX Blue Rail resumes normal operations

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10:45 p.m.: 

UNCC Chancellor Philip Dubois released the following statement: 

"This is the saddest day in UNC Charlotte’s history. Earlier this evening, the unthinkable happened on our campus. At approximately 5:40 PM, an individual opened fire in a UNC Charlotte classroom, cutting short the lives of two members of our community and seriously injuring four others.

Families of the deceased victims are being notified, and university staff are with those who are injured. The entire UNC Charlotte community shares the shock and grief of this senseless, devastating act. This was an attack on all of Niner Nation.

I am proud of and grateful for the efforts of UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and other emergency officials. The suspected shooter is in custody and lives were saved thanks to their rapid response. Their work on campus will continue over the next several hours. Students and staff on campus should follow the instructions of law enforcement officials and the instructions issued in NinerAlerts. Everyone else should remain off campus until an all-clear message is issued.

The days ahead will be some of the most challenging we have ever encountered. All I can say for certain is that we will get through them together. There is still much that we don’t know, and we will share information with you as soon as it is available. Among those unknowns is how we will navigate the remainder of the semester, including the final examination schedule and graduation. Examinations will be canceled through Sunday while we formulate a plan for the following week.

Counseling and Psychological Services is currently providing counseling services to students who were on campus during the event. We intend to make counseling and spiritual support services available to the entire campus community beginning tomorrow morning. Faculty and staff who need support overnight should contact the Employee Assistance Program at 1-877-603-8259. Additional details regarding those services and other resources will follow in the coming hours."

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10:40 p.m.: 

CMPD released an update about the situation that unfolded on campus.

The department said police were called the 9200 block of South Library Lane inside the Kennedy building for an active shooter.

Officers located multiple people who had been shot.

Police said three victims were taken to the hospital by MEDIC and another was taken there by a UNCC police sergeant.

Two other victims were pronounced dead on the scene. Their names will be released once their families have been notified.

Police said a male subject of interested was located on scene by UNCC police and was taken to police headquarters to be interviewed by homicide detectives.

Below is a list of agencies that responded:

  • UNC Police
  • Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Homicide Prosecution Team
  • Victim services
  • K-9
  • Aviation Unit
  • Real Time Crime Center
  • SWAT
  • Charlotte Fire Department
  • MEDIC
  • Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department
  • North Carolina State Highway Patrol
  • Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department
  • Federal Bureau of Investigations
  • State Bureau of Investigations
  • Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
  • Alcohol Beverage Control Officers
  • Operations Command

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective.

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10:37 p.m.: 

A source told Channel 9 the father of the suspected shooter is speaking with police.

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10:20 p.m.: 

Gov. Roy Cooper joined UNCC's chancellor, police chief and provost in addressing the tragedy.

“A student should not have to fear for his or her life when they're on our campuses. Parents shouldn’t have to worry about students when they send them off to school. I know this violence has to stop,” Cooper said.

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10:00 p.m.: 

UNCC said all final exams have been canceled through Sunday. Officials tweeted that the student union has been cleared and can serve as a meeting place for students and staff.

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8:50 p.m.: FBI tweeted it is assisting CMPD and other law enforcement to provide resources needed in the investigation.
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8:50 p.m.: Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted, "This is a tragic day for Charlotte and this great university. We mourn the lives lost and we will all be here to support each other. I commend the first responders for their quick action and am grateful that the campus is now secure."

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8:49 p.m.: NinerAlert: "The campus remains on lockdown while police clear each building. This could take several more hours. Check email for more details."

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8:45 p.m.: Authorities give an update on the shooting.

  • 2 fatalities
  • 3 critical injuries
  • 1 non-life-threatening injuries

8:20 p.m.: All university activities for tonight have been canceled.

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7:49 p.m.: Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles tweet: "We are in shock to learn of an active shooter situation on the campus of UNC Charlotte. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives, those injured, the entire UNCC community and the courageous first responders who sprang into action to help others."

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7:47 p.m.: NinerAlert: "Information about on-campus shooting, campus remains on lockdown. Check your email for more information."

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7:40 p.m.: CMPD Tweet: "Scene secure. One in custody. No reason to believe anyone else involved. CMPD and UNCC going room by room on campus to identify any students, faculty or others who may be sheltering in place."

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7:30 p.m.: Alleged shooter, Trystan A. Terrell, brought into the Charlotte-Mecklenburg jail.

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7:11 p.m.: NC Gov. Roy Cooper has been briefed about the shooting at UNCC.

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7:10 p.m.: Channel 9 crews arrive at the alleged shooter's residence at the Novel NoDa Apartments at 424 East 36th Street

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7:08 p.m.: The alleged shooter has been ID'd as Trystan A. Terrell, 22, according to a police source.

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7:05 p.m.: NinerAlert: Campus lockdown continues. Remain in a safe location.

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6:55 p.m.: The suspected shooter is a UNCC male student, a source said.

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6:47 p.m: BREAKING UPDATE:

  • 2 dead
  • 2 life-threatening injuries
  • 2 non-life-threatening injuries
  • Final number of transports to hospital is pending

-per MEDIC

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6:44 p.m.: CMPD ANNOUNCEMENT: UNC Charlotte students and families, please head to 8600 University City Boulevard. We are sending all the students there to be reunified with their families.

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6:43 p.m.: CMPD is planning on a press conference soon.

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6:38 p.m.: ATF agents are responding to UNCC.

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6:35 p.m.: CMPD and SWAT are going through building-to-building to secure the campus.

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6:24 p.m.: LYNX Blue Line trains will have end-of-line service at the McCullough Station. A bus bridge is being put in place between McCullough and JW Clay Station.

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6:21 p.m.: A UNCC student told Channel 9 over the phone that he was heading to the Waka Flocka Flame concert at the Jerry Richardson Stadium on campus when he heard that there were reports of shots fired. He said everyone was running.

"It was terrifying -- did not expect it in the least," the student said.

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6:15 p.m.: Police resources are continuing to be called in. The shooter is in custody

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6:05 p.m.: School lockdown continues. "Remain in a safe location. Monitor email and UNCC homepage."

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5:55 p.m.: Several ambulances are one scene

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Around 5:40 p.m.: Shots fired reported at UNCC

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