A quiet afternoon on the campus of SUNY Morrisville turned into a frightening scene when a 20-year-old man, not enrolled as a student, was shot in the neck inside South Hall at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Monday, authorities say.
Immediately following the incident, a campus-wide lockdown was issued—students and staff were told to remain in place and evening classes were cancelled. The message from the university stated: “Campus on lockdown… Please remain where you are until the lockdown has been lifted.”
When troopers from the New York State Police arrived on site, they found the injured man suffering from a neck wound and transported him to Upstate University Hospital for treatment. His current condition hasn’t been published.
Officials clarified that no one else was hurt and that there’s currently no known ongoing threat to the campus community. Meanwhile, a command post has been established and investigators — including K-9 and special operations units — are reviewing the scene and searching for suspects.
“I have been briefed on the shooting on campus at SUNY Morrisville,” Governor Kathy Hochul posted on X, adding that state police are assisting local law enforcement and university leadership. By evening, much of the shelter-in-place order had been lifted, though two dorms — South Hall and Onondaga Hall — remained under restricted access.
With the investigation ongoing, the focus now is on identifying who was responsible for the shooting and the motive. The campus community, shaken by the incident, is seeking reassurance that their safety is being prioritized. As more details emerge, students and staff await clarity on how such violence could occur on what is typically a quiet academic setting.
The university has urged everyone to remain vigilant, to report any suspicious activity, and to await official updates before resuming normal campus routines.