By Lauren Proudfoot
Baltmore Watchdog Staff Writer
A 19-year-old Greenbelt man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly discharging a firearm on the Towson University campus early Saturday morning that left himself and two other people injured, county police said.
Samuel Nnam faces multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault, police said. He is currently being held at the County Detention Center without bail.
Police said they collected evidence at the scene as well as surveillance video. They said Nnam was at a gathering of hundreds of people at Towson’s Freedom Square when he began to discharge the firearm he was carrying, striking himself and two others.
Nnam, who was arrested shortly after he was discharged from the hospital, has also been charged with carrying a loaded handgun as well as use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, police said.
One of the victims was a student at Towson, who has since been released from the hospital. The other victim was said to have non-life-threatening injuries. Neither the second victim nor Nnam are Towson students.
University officials announced in an email to students, faculty and staff Tuesday that a veteran officer of the university’s Office of Public Safety was suspended and placed on paid leave. The email said the university would conduct a full investigation into whether the officer used proper procedures that evening during the unsanctioned event, where approximately 400 people gathered near Freedom Square.
“As we shared Saturday, we remain resolute that the safety of our community and campus is our top priority,” said the email, which was signed by President Kim Schatzel, Vice President of Student Affairs Vernon Hurte, and Towson University Police Chief Charles “Joe” Herring. “As such, TU senior leadership continues to take action in response to this isolated incident.”
According to the email, TU’s Office of Public Safety will increase its monitoring and active engagement with attendees of any unsanctioned events on all parts of the campus and at any time throughout the day or night.
University officials also said that campus police will double foot patrols on campus.
“Our campus has been recognized as one of the safest in the nation, and we are committed to do all we can to make our students, faculty and staff continue to feel safe whenever and wherever they are on campus,” the email said. “Trespassing is not welcome on our campus and violence has no place on it either.”
Immediately after the shooting, some students expressed concern about their safety. Over the past few days, however, campus life seems to have returned to normal. Students have gathered at Freedom Square and other parts of campus to study, read and socialize.