A shooting near Loyola University Maryland startled students and residents on a quiet afternoon. The incident occurred outside a Royal Farms store on Cold Spring Lane, a location well-known to the university community. Students in nearby dormitories reported hearing multiple gunshots around 3:15 p.m., creating immediate concern and confusion. Loyola senior Katie Wittkopp described the sound as unexpected, initially mistaking it for a car backfiring before hearing emergency sirens confirming the seriousness of the situation. Baltimore police later reported that a 47-year-old man was injured in the shooting, though his injuries were not life-threatening. The suspects fled the scene in a gray Grand Cherokee. The incident has left the community shaken, raising concerns about safety near campus.
Shots Fired Near Campus
The shooting occurred around 3:15 p.m., with reports indicating that the sounds of gunfire were loud enough to reach nearby dorm buildings. Loyola senior Katie Wittkopp recalled hearing four to five shots initially, followed by several more. She described her initial reaction as uncertainty, wondering if the noise came from a car backfiring. Shortly afterward, the sound of emergency sirens confirmed the seriousness of the situation.
Another witness, a local resident named John Eldridge, reported hearing over a dozen shots while in his backyard. A neighbor later informed him that he counted at least 16 gunshots. The scene was tense and chaotic as the incident unfolded just a few hundred feet from the Loyola University campus.
Police Investigation Underway
Baltimore police confirmed that a 47-year-old man was struck by the gunfire in the parking lot of the Royal Farms store. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening. However, the incident raised concerns about safety in the area. Police described the suspects as fleeing the scene in a newer gray Grand Cherokee with black rims and no front license plate.
Despite swift action by law enforcement, no arrests have been announced so far. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and search for the individuals responsible.
Campus Alert Issued
Though the shooting occurred off-campus, Loyola University acted promptly to inform its students about the situation. An alert was sent out, clarifying that the victim was not affiliated with the university. The message reassured students that the institution was monitoring the incident closely while advising them to remain vigilant.
The proximity of the shooting to the university has heightened concerns among students about safety in the area. Wittkopp and other students expressed their unease, noting that such events disrupt the sense of security within their community.
Community Reacts to Violence
The shooting has left a lasting impact on residents and students alike. Many voiced their concerns about safety, with one resident noting that while incidents like store robberies are not uncommon, shootings of this nature are highly unusual for the area.
“It’s kind of unsettling,” Eldridge said. “I don’t feel very safe with it being right there.” Another neighbor described the situation as “terrifying,” underscoring the anxiety that such incidents bring to the community.
Business Resumes, Questions Linger
By the evening, the Royal Farms store had reopened for business, with no visible signs of the earlier chaos except for a car marked with bullet holes outside the parking lot. While the immediate aftermath of the incident has subsided, questions about safety and the increasing prevalence of violence in the area remain.
Baltimore police continue to investigate the shooting, urging anyone with information to come forward. The victim, whose injuries were not life-threatening, is recovering, but the incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers that can erupt unexpectedly in otherwise familiar surroundings.
The community, shaken but resilient, waits for answers and hopes for swift justice. As students and residents return to their routines, the shadow of the day’s events lingers, highlighting the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure public safety in the area.
