5 members of Duquesne basketball team shot

[Da Coach]

5 Duquesne University basketball players were shot at around 2:15 am this morning apparently while returning from a campus party. 2 are in critical condition. The 2 players most severely injured include 6'7" forward Sam Ashaolu, a transfer from Lake Region State College and a cousin of former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon, and Stuard Baldonado, a 6'7" transfer from Miami Dade College who was considered Duquesne's best recruit. 3 remain hospitalized, 2 were treated at a hospital and released

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/atlantic10/2006-09-17-duquesne-shooting_x.htm

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_470982.html

[MacabreMob]

You know.... I could say many things... but I will hold back.

Just one, a quote from a police officer:

There are 2 types of people out after 2 am... cops and criminals.

[tornado]

Re: 5 members of Duquesne basketball team shot

5 Duquesne University basketball players were shot at around 2:15 am this morning apparently while returning from a campus party. 2 are in critical condition. The 2 players most severely injured include 6'7" forward Sam Ashaolu, a transfer from Lake Region State College and a cousin of former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon, and Stuard Baldonado, a 6'7" transfer from Miami Dade College who was considered Duquesne's best recruit. 3 others were treated at a hospital and released

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/atlantic10/2006-09-17-duquesne-shooting_x.htm

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_470982.html

One of the players shot was Kojo Mensah who has been discussed before on this board.

And Mac, maybe so on what you say, but the real story goes way beyond whether these were basketball players, athletes, or just "ordinary people".
The police and law enforcement officials must do something to bring the guilty to justice and make the city safer.

[BU fan]

update

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/9868866/detail.html#

[tornado]

Update:

This morning's report says two of the five who were shot have been treated and released, and that their injuries are minor.
(Aaron Jackson, 20, of Hartford, Conn., and Shawn James, 23, of New York City)

Kojo Mensah, junior transfer from Siena was struck by a bullett in his arm and shoulder, and is still in the hospital but should be released today. He would not have been playing this season because he is a transfer, but might be able to resume full workouts in a few weeks.

Stuart Baldonado, perhaps the most promising of all the new Duquesne players is a junior college player from Florida, and was struck in the lower back and left arm. The one bullet barely missed his spinal column (*reportedly by 1/4 inch) but caused some significant muscle and nerve injury in the lower back, and it is already being stated that Baldonado will require at least three months of recovery and rehab, and so will likely redshirt this season.

The most severely injured player is junior-college transfer forward Sam Ashaolu, 23, of Toronto, a cousin of former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon, who was in critical condition, his life in danger, after a bullet shattered and separated into three sections of his head.
His basketball career is of secondary importance at present as his life is still hanging in the balance with the severity of his injuries.

"In interviews Monday with The Associated Press, several players said the shootings apparently resulted from an act of jealousy by a nonstudent unhappy that the girlfriend he accompanied to a dance, sponsored by the Black Student Union, talked with a player or players for the Dukes. The players were followed by the disgruntled nonstudent and at least one of his acquaintances when they left the dance, they said, and the shootings happened as the players walked together toward the dormitory."

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/167151/

[chitownBUB]

This just out--
Police make an arrest in the Duquesne shootings

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_471191.html

Apparently the shooting was a result of jealousy between an off campus man who was at the dance with his student-girlfriend, who was then angered when she flirted with the basketball players.
The police have now identified the woman, and arrested her, and then subsequently the police have learned the identity of the boyfriend.

[BUBraves06]

That's terrible news, as T said, hopefully they catch all the people who used the guns and I wish nothing but a full recovery for all involved.

[valleygirl]

Duquesne has two message boards, you can access them at

http://www.voy.com/14109/

and here

http://mb4.scout.com/fduquesnefrm1

if you wish to leave a message of support or get well wishes.

[tornado]

Police have apprehended and arrested one of the gunmen, and are actively hunting for the other. They were also holding the woman who got the men into the dance in custody, but she has posted bail and is out.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/61-09192006-715041.html

[tornado]

Wow, the school sure did deal with this student decisively.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=426&p=2&c=570747

another picture of her

http://img.viacomlocalnetworks.com/images_sizedimage_263113206/lg

and the news reports now indicate the second man who was wanted is also in custody.

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/09/20/ap/sports/d8k8qg4o0.txt

[Braves4Life]

Former Duquesne players shot in 2006 sue university

"Two former Duquesne basketball players have sued the school over a 2006 shooting that injured them and three teammates. Kojo Mensah and Shawn James accuse the university of not providing adequate security at an on-campus dance after which they and three teammates were shot, according to federal lawsuits filed Monday. "

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10874986

[tornado]

OMG, now they're going to have to place metal detectors around the periphery of every college campus.

[Da Coach]

From reading the articles about the shooting, it occurred after the players left the dance. So I am not sure how any amount of security at the dance would have made any difference. But then, it doesn't seem necessary that lawsuits make sense.

I am sure these ex-players don't really want the University to beef up security, all they want is a big cash payout.