BY MILES LAYTON
ELIZABETH CITY — A memorial has been placed in the quad at Elizabeth City State University after a shooting left one man dead and five people injured Sunday morning. This story not only provides an update to the shooting, but offers context to the difference in terminonology between a shooting or mass shooting and also recalls other gun violence incidents that have happened around the university.
The State Bureau of Investigation said the shooting occurred after Yardfest, the final event of the university’s Viking Fest celebration, around 12:30 a.m. April 27, Sunday. Isaiah Caldwell, 24, died in the shooting at ECSU. SBI said Caldwell was not a student at the university. Four people – including three students – sustained gunshot wounds, according to the university. Two other students were injured during the “subsequent commotion.” According to ECSU, none of the injuries were considered life-threatening and all victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Classes were canceled Monday and Tuesday, with ECSU shifting to virtual learning for the rest of the semester.
Posted below is Interim Chancellor Catherine Edmonds statement that she issued Monday via social media.
Like many of you, I am devastated by the shooting incident that took place over the weekend. Sadly, a 24-year-old man visiting our campus lost his life. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. I’m also sending support and well wishes to our students who were injured on Sunday.
The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and community remain our highest priorities. In response, we have cancelled classes and all campus events for Monday, Apr. 28 and Tuesday, Apr. 29. All classes will transition to remote learning beginning Wednesday, Apr. 30 through the final three days of the semester, and exams will be delivered remotely.
Please know that support services are available for students, faculty, and staff. For students, please visit or contact ECSU Counseling Services or the Office of the Dean of Students. After-hours and on-call counseling services remain available at 252-335-3275. Faculty and staff should reach out to the Employee Assistance Program at 866-511-3365.
I am grateful for the swift actions of ECSU Police, local law enforcement, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, whose coordinated response ensured the safety of our campus.
The Viking community is resilient and, remember, we are family. We will get through this together. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and every member of our campus community affected by the tragedy.
Shooting vs. Mass Shooting
Because Edmonds referred to Sunday’s gun violence as a “shooting incident” and not a mass shooting even though one man was killed, five people were wounded, that begs the question — what is the right terminology?
Some critics say the media downplays shootings at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) by calling them incidents or just shootings. However, they may be called mass shootings at universities with a student population that is majority white.
While all colleges can experience shootings, the term “mass shooting” is generally reserved for incidents where three or more people are killed, excluding the shooter, according to a study from Clemson University. Therefore, a shooting that results in fewer than three fatalities might be referred to as a “shooting” rather than a “mass shooting.”
Incidents of Gun Violence
There have been many incidents of gun violence in or around ECSU for several years.
With an enrollment of around 2,500 students, ECSU is a member of the University of North Carolina public university system.
February 2024 — Shooting
Two shootings that injured two people about a mile away from one another and took place about eight hours apart last Saturday have shaken up residents in Elizabeth City in February of 2024, according to WAVY.
The area of Weeksville Road near the south end of Elizabeth City State University is where the first of two shootings happened around 2:20 p.m.
April 2023 – Shooting
Campus police were called after a gunshot was reported at Elizabeth City State University in April of 2023, according to WITN.
October 2022 – Shooting Near Campus
In October of 2022, a 26-year-old man was shot during a Sunday night at the Rivers Landing Apartments near Elizabeth City State University, according to WAVY.
Police say they were dispatched around 8:15 p.m. to 1699 Weeksville Road and found the victim. He was taken to Sentara Albemarle Hospital for treatment.
February 2022 – Bomb Threat
Elizabeth City State University said that members of the college community could return to campus hours after they had to leave due to a bomb threat in February 2022, according to 13 NewsNow.
A few others…
October 2014 — Shots fired
A 24-year-old Elizabeth City State University student was facing several felony charges after he allegedly fired a shotgun on the ECSU campus in October of 2014, according to WAVY.
Joshua David Murrill, of the 800 block of Westway Drive, was charged with feloniously discharging a firearm on educational property and having a gun on educational property, according to arrest warrants.
April 2013 — Shooting
In April of 2013, an Elizabeth City State University student was shot was later released from Albemarle Hospital, according to news reports.
The victim in the shooting, Jake Laumoli, 23, was shot once in the leg near Butler Hall at about 9:30 p.m., University Police Chief Samuel Beamon reported.
November of 2011 — Shot, Wounded By Police
In November of 2011, a former student of Elizabeth City State University returned to the school with an assault rifle and was shot and wounded by campus police, according to CBS News.
September 2007 — Shooting
Surveillance cameras captured images of three suspicious cars after a shooting on the campus of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), resulting in the arrests of four men for gun possession on a school campus, according to Campus Safety Magazine.
Martin Burley, Rasheen Williams and Quientin Gregory Jr. were charged with having a gun on a school campus and carrying a concealed weapon. The other suspect, Justin Cartwright, was the only one charged for firing the gun.
