HOUSTON (Jan. 22, 2013) –Three people were hospitalized with injuries after shots were fired today at the Lone Star College-North Harris campus just north of Houston. 

The shooting was a result of an altercation between two men near the campus library, not an active shooter scenario.  A college employee who was an innocent bystander was wounded.  He is reported in stable condition at an area hospital. Two individuals of interest, who were also injured and hospitalized, were taken into custody by law enforcement officials.

With rapid response from the LSCS Police Department and many of our local law enforcement agencies, the situation was quickly brought under control. 

Late this afternoon the campus was cleared by Harris County Sheriff’s Department officials, though the investigation into the events continues.  The campus will remain closed tonight, but will reopen Wednesday morning for normal operation at their regularly scheduled time.

Lone Star College System would like to first thank the many law enforcement personnel and first responders who were involved in responding to the unfortunate shooting incident at LSC-North Harris. We also want to extend our concerns and thoughts to those directly impacted by this event.

Though we are always hopeful that an event like this will not occur, we are also vigilant and prepared. In fact Lone Star College System recently initiated another series of training exercises related to weapons on campus scenarios and its 170 police officers and security personnel are well trained for such emergencies. 

We are proud of the orderly and professional way our faculty, staff and students responded during this incident.  Our Office of Emergency Management followed our protocol in alerting students via text messages, e-mail, web, voice messages, and personal announcements throughout the campus that a lockdown was in place. 

We know there is significant national dialogue regarding the unfortunate frequency of shootings on public school or college campuses.  Though we never expected to be a part of that discussion, we hope that there are always things that can be learned and our protocols will be evaluated regarding the best way to protect students and employees.

With 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu

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