Crime
At least 1 dead, multiple injured after shooting at Elizabeth City State University During Viking Fest
Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred shortly before midnight on Saturday, April 26, 2025, on the campus of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU).
Victim killed in ECSU shooting identified as 21-year-old Isaiah Caldwell
The Elizabeth City Police Department issued a campus-wide text alert advising residents to shelter in place after reports of shots fired near Bias Hall.
“There has been a report of shots fired on campus in the area of Bias Hall.
Shelter in place as Elizabeth City Police Department and campus police investigate the situation,” the alert stated.
Hundreds of students, alumni, and guests were gathered on campus for the final day of ECSU’s annual Viking Fest, which included the Blue and White Vikings spring football game and other festivities.
During the incident, three students sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and/or abdomen and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Tragically, one male student was pronounced deceased upon arrival at the hospital.
Eyewitness Victoria Lewis told Channel2 NOW that her daughter and grandson were near the shooting. “My daughter and her friends were able to hide safely, but my grandson was caught in the crossfire. Thankfully, he managed to run in the opposite direction and escape. Nobody but God. I am truly grateful this morning,” she said.
In response to the incident, ECSU Police, the Elizabeth City Police Department, the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are actively collaborating on the investigation.
Authorities have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the campus community.
As a precaution, ECSU Police have increased patrols across campus, and access to the central campus area will be restricted on Sunday.
In a statement, the university expressed deep sorrow over the incident: “We are deeply saddened by this senseless act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all members of the Viking community affected by this tragedy.”
To support students, faculty, and staff, ECSU Counseling Services will be available beginning at 10:30 a.m. today, Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center. Immediate and after-hours counseling support is also available by calling 252-335-3275.
Bedell Dining Hall will be closed today. Breakfast will be delivered to residence halls beginning at 9:30 a.m. Lunch (12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.) and dinner (5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) will be served at the K.E. White Graduate Center. Shuttle services will be provided for students to and from dining areas.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact ECSU University Police at 252-335-3266.
The university and law enforcement agencies will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.