UPDATE:
Andrew Boldt, a senior electrical and computer engineering major at Purdue University, has been identified as the victim of the shooting that occurred Tuesday, said Purdue Chief of Police John Cox.
Cody Cousins, an electrical and computer engineering major from Warsaw, Ind., was arrested in connection to the Purdue shooting this afternoon.
Cox said the shooting included about four or five shots and is considered to be a random act of violence. He said the Electrical Engineering Building is still closed and the homicide investigation is continuing.
Purdue University students took part in a vigil at Hovde Hall for Andrew Boldt.
“I think this vigil will be the beginning of a healing process, but I think it will take a while,” said Purdue Provost Tim Sands.
Abby Schneller, a sophomore womens gender sexual studies major at Purdue, sang in Purduettes at the candle light vigil in Boldt’s honor.
“There were candles as far out as I could see,” she said.
The group sang “Songbird” and “My life is in your hands”. Everyone standing together was a unifying experience after a scary day, Schneller said.
“It was just kind of surreal and weird that this happened,” she said. “You just never think this is going to happen on your campus.”
University police had arrested suspect Cody Cousins, from Warsaw, Ind., once before as a result of an alcohol violation.
“This appears to be a random act of violence,” Cox said. “The suspect went in the classroom, shot the victim, left the building, and then surrendered to police.”
The first call was made to Purdue police at 12:03 p.m. and the university sent out a mass text message to students at 12:19 p.m.
Purdue decided to cancel class for today and Wednesday as a result of the shooting. The initial message to students informed them that the university was to operate as normal. Sands said the decision to cancel classes was made with university President Mitch Daniels.
EARLIER:
One man has been arrested and one person has died a press conference confirmed at 2:30 p.m. Purdue police said there are no further suspects and could not release the identities of either.
Purdue Police Chief John Cox said the shooter went the Electrical Engineering building, shot the individual and then proceeded to leave the building before immediately being stopped by police.
According to Purdue’s Twitter, the building is still closed by police, but the rest of campus reopened around 1:15 p.m.
Police are continued to search the building, but announced that there were no further threats to campus. Homeland Security, Indiana State Police, the Purdue University Police Department and the Tippecanoe County Police Department were on the scene.
Purdue University president and former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is out of the country trying to establish study programs.
“Today’s shooting at Purdue University is a tragedy, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the victim and to everyone in the Purdue community,” Daniels said in a statement. “I commend the professionalism of the Purdue University Police Department in apprehending the suspect and bringing the situation to a swift conclusion.”
Ben Klinker, a freshman engineering major at Purdue, said he first heard of the reported shooting from a text message.
His said his residence hall locked down and is not letting students leave.
“I’m not worried about the situation,” Klinker said. “I’m pretty calm. I got faith in the authorities. I guess I could see how some are a little worried.”
Brittni Novak, a Purdue student, said she sent a text to all of her friends to make sure they were OK after she read the university’s emergency alert.
“From my understanding, I think [the university] handled it well,” she said.
Rachel Schefke, a sophomore math major at Purdue, walked back to her dorm room from a bus stop after hearing about the reports of shooting and hearing campus sirens.
“When I got back to my dorm, my RA just told us to come into our rooms and let her know we are there,” she said. “I don’t have any more classes, but if I did, I wouldn’t be going. My roommate isn’t going to hers.”
In November, a shooter was also reported at Ball State in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
No shots were fired and no suspects were found at Ball State.
Both campuses issued an emergency alert through email, text message and Twitter, advising students to stay inside. Purdue posted three alerts on the campus website.
While Purdue shut down its entire campus for about an hour, Ball State shut down the buildings and area where the shooter was reported.
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