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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 23, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah campus was locked down for several hours Monday night while police searched for the suspect in a fatal shooting near the Medical Towers along Shoreline Ridge.
Police responded to reports of shots fired on campus around 9 p.m. Monday. They began searching the north parking lot and, a short while later, an officer was heard calling out that he had located the victim.
A female, whose identity has not yet been released, was found deceased in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. Officials later confirmed that she was a student at the university.
A U of U tweet described the suspect as a black male, 37 years old, 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 250 pounds, wearing a gray beanie, black pants, white shoes and a white hoodie.
Police later identified the suspect as Melvin Rowland, a registered sex offender, who they say had a relationship with the victim.
According to Utah court documents, Rowland was found guilty in March 2004 of attempted forcible sex abuse which occurred September 15, 2003. That charge was amended from a first-degree felony to a third-degree felony. He also was found guilty of enticing a minor over the Internet, a second-degree felony.
Students were told to shelter in place, keep doors locked and be quiet, while police expanded their search across the entire campus.
At 11:46 p.m., the secure-in-place order was lifted, and the University posted the following notice:
“Police believe suspect has left campus and is no longer a threat to campus. Continued police activity throughout the night. Please avoid the Medical Towers area. Updates on highalert.utah.edu.”
Classes have been cancelled for Tuesday, according to a post on the highalert.utah.edu site, which included contact information for support services:
“One student confirmed deceased. All morning and evening classes canceled for Tuesday, Oct. 23. Campus services and facilities will remain open. Support services are available for students, faculty and staff.
- University Counseling Center, 450 SSB, 801-581-6826
- Office of the Dean of Students, 270 Union Building, 801-581-7066
- Employee Assistance Programs services can found at 801-587-9319 or 800-926-9619
- More student services can be found at studentaffairs.utah.edu.”
Gephardt Daily will continue to update this story as information becomes available.
