SALISBURY, N.C. October 25, 2022 — Salisbury police are investigating after two people were shot at Livingstone College Saturday night during a concert.

Students returned to campus Monday for the first time since a fight sparked the shooting during the school’s homecoming events, according to the Salisbury Police Department.

In an update given by police on Sunday afternoon, officers said someone who is not a student at the school fired “one or more shots” during a fight.

“The investigation up to this point indicates that there was no exchange of gunfire by those involved in the altercation, contrary to earlier rumors,” the update from officers said.

One woman was grazed by a bullet and is expected to be OK. The other victim is a man who is currently still hospitalized, but in stable condition, Channel 9 has learned.

“I just prayed for people’s safety and the safety of the students and community here on the west side,” Salisbury resident Melvin Rush said.

On Tuesday, authorities said Talib Latrell Kelly, who is not a Livingstone College student, will be charged with attempted first-degree murder, discharging a firearm on educational property, and possession of a firearm by a felon, once he is released from the hospital.

Earlier on Sunday, officials from the college said two people who were not affiliated with the school were in a fight before shots were fired.

Police said that around 11 p.m. they were called to the college for reports of an active shooter on campus. More than two hours later, authorities confirmed that there was no active threat to the college community at around 1:30 a.m.

At the scene, police said they found two people who had been shot and multiple others who had suffered injuries while attempting to flee the shooting. Officials said the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

School officials confirmed at least two Livingstone College students were hurt while fleeing from the fight.

“I’m saddened that after a week of homecoming activities without incident, our students, alumni, their families and friends had to witness this senseless act of gun violence,” Livingstone College President Dr. Anthony J. Davis said. “My prayer is that the community will respond to Livingstone College in the same manner it responded when gunfire erupted at a holiday basketball tournament in December.”

In a video statement, Davis said the school is evaluating its safety measures.

Witnesses told Channel 9′s Glenn Counts that there was some sort of fight that may have led to the shooting. Panic ensued after the shots were fired and students scrambled to get away.

Michaila Heywood, a student, described the scene to Counts.

“Crying, yelling, just people, like, upset — frantically trying to find loved ones, friends — it was just bad,” she said.

Ja’Laya Watkins, another student at Livingstone, was trampled while trying to escape the madness.

“Somebody stepped on my head, I think like somebody stepped on my neck, not actually my head but my neck and my back,” Watkins told Channel 9.

Watkins said she now does not feel safe.

“I don’t feel safe there anymore, actually I don’t,” Watkins said. “They started dancing, partying again and then (Asian Doll) started doing her thing on the stage and then you heard gunshots, everybody took off.”

This weekend was homecoming weekend at Livingstone College. The college is located near downtown Salisbury in Rowan County. The event was a concert featuring rapper Asian Doll, who posted videos from the performance before the shooting on her Instagram account.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Lt. Crews at (704) 638-5333.

WSOCTV

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