Seton Hall Shooting "Was Almost Inevitable"

Jessica Moore

As police continue to search for the gunman responsible for opening fire at an off-campus Seton Hall University party, and the school mourns the loss of sophomore Jessica Moore, students are saying that the party was in a dangerous area and had a high risk of violence. Party guests were often patted down for weapons at the door at parties in the area, and one student told the NY Times, “It was just a matter of time; it was almost inevitable."

Bouncers had originally turned away the shooter at the door after he refused to pay the cover charge, but he returned with a gun and opened fire with no target in mind. "He started blowing off shots. [He] shot anywhere, anyone," one witness told the Post. Five partygoers were injured, including Bronx native Nakeisha Vanterpool, who suffered a grazed chin. Moore, who was fatally shot in the head, had run to Vanterpool to help her.

Vanterpool's parents are thankful she's alive, and her father told the Daily News, "No parent should have to wake up to hear your kid is shot while attending college." Vanterpool and the three other victims are all in stable condition. Police have not found the shooter, and are offering $10,000 for information leading to an arrest.

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By Jaya Saxena in News on September 27, 2010 10:34 AM

Comments [rss]

avance

I agree, this article is filled with sensational inaccuracies. I know a few students who were at this party. There have been parties at this house for years, with no problems. Students are not patted down before going into parties, that's a ridiculous claim.

There are two things going on here, both economic:

1) This part of East Orange has been hit harder than most by the recession and because of that, crime has gone up.

2) Students are always looking for cheap housing and East Orange is cheaper than some of the better neighborhoods around the school so students sometimes choose to live here but they are still a lot better off financially than most of their neighbors.

This is a classic case of friction between poor locals and wealthier students.

John L

I just saw on the news that Nicolas Welch, 25 a "known gangbanger" (that's what they said) has been arrested. Apparently the gangbanger lived around the corner from the house where the shooting took place.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/28/new.jersey.shooting/

chris87654

Do any newssites have a description of the shooter? How can the police think a $10000 reward and "asking the public to help" will give any results without giving a description or composite sketch?

S

I am appalled by whoever wrote this article and by the person who said that this crime was inevitable.

I graduated from SHU in 2008. Never once have I ever gone to a party where I needed to be patted down. This crime was not inevitable… it’s a damn shame.

Upon entering freshman year Seton Hall, everyone always tells you, never take a right outside the gate… it’s not safe. And unfortunately now, we all have proof as to why.