Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Wig found at scene where Wesleyan U. student shot


By KATIE NELSON
Associated Press Writer

Police in Connecticut say a wig has been recovered at the scene of a fatal shooting at a bookstore near the Wesleyan University campus.

Police also say the Wesleyan student killed at a popular university bookstore Wednesday afternoon had been shot several times.

The woman was pronounced dead at Middletown Hospital. Authorities would not identify her, pending notification of her family.

The Middletown Press quote unidentified sources as saying the gunman is the victim's ex-boyfriend. Middletown Police Lt. Margaret Liseo would not comment on the report.

Wesleyan officials have told students and staff that there's no reason to believe the gunman is on campus and that they can resume normal activities.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP) — A Wesleyan University student was shot and killed at a bookstore near the central Connecticut campus Wednesday afternoon, officials say, sparking a manhunt while police cautioned students and staff to remain indoors.

Officials didn't identify the victim, but said she was a student who was at the Red and Black Cafe inside Broad Street Books.

A gun was recovered at the scene, the university said in a statement.

Police cordoned off the area around the bookstore as officers wearing camouflage and carrying automatic rifles walked the streets as onlookers gawked.

Officials at the private university notified students and faculty members by e-mail, text and voice mail about the emergency and asked them to remain inside.

Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano said he did not believe the public was in danger.

"It was focused. This wasn't random from what I can tell," Giuliano said. "Somebody went into a bookstore and fired multiple shots at one person."

State and city police did not immediately return calls Wednesday.

All campus events scheduled for Wednesday, including its popular Spring Fling concerts, were canceled.

Officials at nearby St. Mary's School, a Roman Catholic school with 240 students, ordered a lockdown for about 30 minutes Wednesday afternoon, Principal Kathleen Dutil said. Police arrived and children were dismissed once authorities gave the go-ahead, she said.

Middletown, in central Connecticut, has a population of about 48,000.

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