3 shot at Bethune-Cookman University; 2 in custody

Police still searching for third person of interest

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Students and the President of Bethune Cookman University will gather for a town hall meeting Tuesday morning, after three people were shot on campus overnight.

The shooting was reported just before 7 p.m. at the campus, which is located in Daytona Beach.

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Six to seven gunshots were heard, but the victims were reportedly just bystanders in the incident after an argument.

Daytona Beach police said one victim was transported to the hospital with a graze wound to the shoulder. The second victim, who had a graze wound to his left ear area, refused treatment.

The third shooting victim suffered a graze wound to the right knee. Police said that man was not cooperating with the investigation.

Two people were taken into custody but police are searching for a third person who they said may have run off with a backpack.

Roderick Dantzler said he was working on campus when he heard the shooting.

"First, I heard a little bit of arguing, then I heard, 'Pow, pow, pow.' (I heard) two or three shots," Dantzler said.

Daytona Beach police spokesperson Jimmie Flynt told Local 6, "It's scary because you probably had a whole bunch of people out here, and if security hadn't been right on scene, who knows what would've happened."

Classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday at their normal times, but officials said a town hall meeting has been called in the Performing Arts Center at 10:30 a.m. following this incident.

University President Edison Jackson said, "Our public safety officers responded swiftly to secure the campus and we are grateful that the injuries sustained by our students were non-life threatening. As a community we will gather to remind our students of the importance of upholding the core values on which this university was built."

The town hall meeting regarding the shooting is expected to begin sometime after 10 a.m.