Carter County Police responded to a shooting at 106 VIP Road, Wednesday at 9 p.m about half a mile from campus. Milligan students received notice that the suspect was near campus at 9:43 p.m. Around 1 a.m the investigation was turned over to the Elizabethton Police Department (EPD).
A release from the EPD stated that an unknown male suspect entered the residence with a firearm and shots were fired, striking one person. The investigation revealed that “the suspect is described as a white male, thin build, and wearing a ski mask. The victim remains in critical condition while authorities continue to search for the suspect
Brent Nipper, director of Property & Risk Management at Milligan, was alerted by Elizabethton Police about the shooting Wednesday night.
“Milligan takes many precautions when we receive notice that a threat is near campus,” said Nipper. “We have our alert system, but our security is also in contact with the corresponding police department.”
Students were originally warned of the shooting and the suspect’s proximity to campus by Milligan’s RAVE alert notification. RAVE is a text-based system that allows the university to notify students and faculty about emergency and crisis situations.
“We really encourage students to use our alert system, it’s our quickest way of informing students and staff about possible risks to safety,” said Nipper.
Students and staff can sign up on Milligan’s website at https://www.milligan.edu/life/health-safety/
Nipper said Milligan’s safety management, and thus the RAVE system relies heavily on communication from the police.
“Even for them (the police) it can be hard to determine whether or not an incident is a threat to our campus, but we do not take any risks,” he said. “Communication is important though, whatever we know – our students and staff also know.”
Junior Jopsahany Lucas-Pino said she was caught off guard by the shooting.
“The area around campus and campus itself is pretty calm, so when incidents like this do happen, I think it surprises us, students,” she said. “But I feel like I can speak for the majority when I say I’m pretty confident in Milligan’s safety and security measures.”
Nipper said that once it is determined there is no longer a threat to campus, Milligan’s safety management takes a “hand-off approach” but still encourages caution.
“We really do try to stay out of the authority’s way, and let them do their work because they need space and time to continue the investigation thoroughly,” he said. “We are really grateful for our relationship and communication with the Elizabethton Police Department.”
According to EPD’s press release, the investigation is still ongoing and the suspect has remained unidentified, although Milligan was notified on Thursday that there is no active threat to campus.
The report adds that anyone with any information regarding this case should contact the Elizabethton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division.
Headline Photo: 106 VIP Road where the shooting took place and authorities were dispatched