DC Area Students at Delaware State

Shelita Middleton, One of Two Students Shot

News that two DC students had been shot on the campus of Delaware State University early Friday morning prompted me to drive to the campus on my day off. I knew that a large number of DC area students attended D State.

It was my first ever trip to Dover, the State Capitol; My first time passing Dover Downs which sits across the highway from the historical black college campus. There were campers and SUV's all over the place for the NASCAR events.

But I was there to see and hear from our young college men and women who were on lock down as a result of the shootings with the gunman still at large.

At the front gate, I was told by armed campus police that news media were prohibited from entering the campus; Big mistake on my part identifying myself. but I didn't come this far (95 miles from Washington) to be turned around. I glanced across the street where the TV satellite trucks and live cameras were set up; Reporters were busy filing their stories following a press conference by University officials.

I decided to circle the campus looking for an opening. Every entrance was closed with gates locked; but unattended. The plan was to ditch my car and set out on campus by foot. I had my own Sony DVD mini camera which shoots great pictures and sound. The plan was to track down some of my fraternity brothers (Kappa Alpha Psi) or DC area students, hoping they recognized me because I was in jeans and casual shirt.

Within minutes, a male student who turns out to be from New Jersey, (my grandmother lived in Newark) directed me to a large student housing complex. Campus Police drove by but didn't stop to question me or my motives. In the parking lot I encountered a group of male students, all but one from the DC area. After introductions, they seemed eager to talk and invited me to one of their rooms where we discussed the shootings, the impact on their school, and the overall violence that seems to follow them wherever they go...

The comments from DC area Delaware State students aired Saturday night at Eleven on Nine News Now..The gunman believed to be a Delaware State student was still at large. The DC wounded students were still hospitalized. To view video with student comments, CLICK HERE