Widener University student shot in campus parking lot

A college student has been shot sitting in the parking lot of Widener University’s athletic center on Monday.

Officials said the Pennsylvania campus was secure, even as they warned students to remain inside as police searched across the city for the shooter.

Classes are expected to resume Tuesday morning after a campus lockdown was lifted after an all-night manhunt didn’t turn up the shooter.

Chester Police say the unidentified student was sitting inside his car in the parking lot of the Schwartz Athletic Center on 17th Street and Melrose Avenue in Chester, Pennsylvania around 8:45 p.m.

Police say an unidentified gunman opened fire, striking the victim in the left side. The gunman then fled the scene.

The authorities say the student called 911 himself and reported the shooting. The victim, who wasn’t identified, was listed in critical, but stable condition at Crozer-Chester Medical Center Tuesday morning after undergoing surgery Monday night, the hospital said.

His family was with him.

Police say they have not yet spoken to the victim and so far have no information on a possible motive or description of the shooter.

Widener Public Information Officer Dan Hanson said Tuesday morning that “all indications are this was not a random act of violence.” He would not release further details of the investigation.

Police suspect the gunman fled into the Summer Hill neighborhood of Chester, which borders the athletic center. Police K-9s tracked the suspect’s scent in that direction, according to investigators.

Officers say they found one shell casing at the scene and believe the gunman used a revolver to fire the shot. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the exterior of the athletic center to determine if it captured the shooting.

All students on campus were alerted to stay inside as the campus was put on lockdown Monday night. The lockdown was lifted at 6 a.m.

Widener University is a private, co-ed university located in Chester, Delaware County, 14 miles south of Philadelphia.

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