Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. is asking for photos and videos near two dorms after a fatal Worcester State University shooting Saturday that caused the university to cancel Homecoming and Family Weekend events.
Authorities are still searching for 18-year-old suspect Kevin Rodriguez. The shooting killed a 19-year-old man on Oct. 28 on the college’s Chandler Street campus, Early said.
Rodriguez, who last lived in Lawrence, is wanted on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. He should be considered armed and dangerous, Early added.
The shooting started with a fight around 2:30 a.m., Early said at a press conference the same day. Two men had gunshot wounds and were brought to the hospital, Early’s office said Sunday.
The 19-year-old died from his injuries. His name was not released. The second victim, a 21-year-old man, appeared to have non life-threatening injuries, according to the office. He is expected to survive.
Neither the victims nor suspects were students at Worcester State, officials added.
Shortly after the shooting, police arrested one person in the area and found a gun, interim Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said during the press conference Saturday. That person was charged with trespassing and possession of a firearm.
“This does not appear to be a random incident,” Early said. “The parties involved know each other from what we can ascertain at this point.”
The Chandler Street campus on the west side of Worcester was under a shelter-in-place order for hours following the shooting and the university had to cancel Homecoming and Family Weekend events. The order was lifted just before 9:30 a.m. Saturday, but Early said the crime scene remains “very active” as police investigate.
“From everything we can tell, the university is a safe campus right now,” Early said. “It is unfortunate it was Parents Weekend and Homecoming Weekend. A lot of people were on their way to school and had to be told to turn around.”
The shooting took place in an open area and was captured on video. Early’s office asked that anyone with information, photos or videos in the area of Wasylean Hall and Sheehan Hall, two student dormitories near the university library, to send them to law enforcement officials by contacting the campus police at 508-929-8911 or the state police at 508-829-8326.
However, anyone who sees Rodriguez is asked to call 911. Those who know anything about his location should call Massachusetts State Police Detectives at (508) 453-7589 or Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1 800-527-8873).
