INDIANA BOROUGH, Pa. — Students at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania are becoming increasingly concerned about violence after recent shootings at off-campus apartments.
Most recently, a man was shot late Saturday night at the Carriage House apartments on Oakland Avenue. Police said officers were called just before 11 p.m. for a report of shots fired inside and found the man, who was flown to a hospital with a gunshot wound.
Another shooting happened Sept. 3 at the same apartment complex, injuring one person.
Senior IUP nursing student Danielle Kirker was once a tenant at Carriage House.
“I was very close to calling the police because of what was going on. Shouting, screaming, fighting, there were at least 10 times the police were there,” she said. “There was an instance one time that I did call my mom at two in the morning because I was afraid for my life.”
Kirker moved out of Carriage House in May, just four days before two men were fatally shot at Essex House, which is also located on Oakland Avenue.
“I never would've lived there if I knew the reputation it had,” Kirker said of Carriage House. “Living on my own, I would've wanted something safer.”
Prospective tenant Julianne Hutsky, however, is not being scared away by the recent crime.
"It doesn't worry me that much. It can happen to anyone on any campus around here. It's almost like the norm now with schools and shootings," she said.
IUP's Department of Public Safety sent an email to students about Saturday's shooting. It said the man who was shot was not a student and offered the following advice:
“We urge students, faculty and staff to practice personal safety awareness at all times. Violent and dangerous situations can develop rapidly, particularly at parties or large gatherings. If you are present in a situation where tension between individuals or groups is present or developing and you suspect violence could happen, move to safety as quickly as possible and call the police or 9-1-1 immediately.”
Police have not identified any suspects and continue to investigate Saturday’s shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call the Indiana Borough Police Department at 724-349-2121 or the IUP Police Department at 724-357-2141.
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- One person shot at apartment complex in Indiana Borough
- 2 men shot, killed at Indiana Borough apartment
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