WORCESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - Authorities are now searching for an 18-year-old in connection with a deadly shooting at Worcester State University early Saturday morning, the Worcester County District Attorney’s office announced.
The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. In an update early Sunday afternoon, the DA’s office said Kevin Rodriguez is now wanted on charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder.
The DA’s office said Rodriguez should be considered armed and dangerous and asked anyone who sees him to call 911.
Worcester State University Police first responded to the shooting scene after receiving a 911 call. Once on scene, the DA’s office said, authorities found two men with gunshot wounds.
Both men were taken to area hospitals where one of them, aged 19, died of his injuries. The second victim, described as a 21-year-old man, appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries as of Sunday afternoon, according to the DA’s office.
While authorities did not release the identities of the people shot in this incident, the DA’s office said neither the victims nor the assailants were students of Worcester State. DA Joseph Early previously said this incident did not appear to be random and said the parties involved appeared to know each other.
Although someone was arrested Saturday on firearms and trespassing charges, police have said Rodriguez is not that person. Investigators said the person arrested Saturday is not connected to this shooting.
The shooting remained under investigation as of Sunday night.
Cell phone video showed the moment shots rang out on Saturday. Authorities have since asked for additional photos and video around the locations of Wasylean parking lot and Sheehan Hall that may help in their investigation.
Worcester State in a post on X announced a shelter-in-place order Saturday morning. The shelter-in-place order was later lifted shortly before 9:30 a.m. On what was scheduled to be homecoming weekend, all on- and off-campus university events were canceled on Saturday.
More than 24 hours after this shooting, the Worcester State campus remained quiet around 9 p.m. Sunday with no outside visitors allowed in.
Police have ramped up patrols in the area and officials said they plan to keep the Worcester State campus closed until further notice.
A university spokesperson said officials will also be reviewing safety protocols moving forward to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.
The university separately detailed counseling and support resources available for students. In the same statement, officials said employees in need can contact Worcester State’s confidential and no-cost employee assistance program at any time at 1-844-263-1982.
As the investigation into this shooting continues and as authorities continue to seek Rodriguez, university officials have been reassuring students there’s no reason to feel they are in danger.
“This is the first incident that has ever happened like this on our campus,” said Worcester State University Public Information Officer Maureen Stokes. “…These were not our students. Our students are safe and the campus community is safe.”
Anyone with information on Rodriguez’ whereabouts is asked to contact state police detectives at (508) 453-7589 or contact the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1 800-527-8873).
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