Shooting at Penn State leaves one student dead

One student was killed and another injured yesterday morning in a shooting at the University Park campus of Pennsylvania State University, shocking students and administrators. Melanie Spalla of Altoona, Pa., died of gunshot wounds, and Philadelphia native Nicholas Mensah remained in stable condition following surgery to remove a bullet from his midsection. The suspect in the shooting, 19-year-old Jillian Robbins of Troftrees, Pa., fired five shots with a high-powered rifle, hitting the two victims. She was apprehended by a student passerby, who held her on the lawn in front of the Hetzel Union Building until police arrived. Robbins, who attempted to stab the student with a knife, injured herself in the struggle and was admitted to Centre Community Hospital last night with a knife wound to the leg. At a media briefing, Dave Stormer, Penn State's assistant vice president for university safety, said Robbins gave no reason for the shooting and did not know either of the victims. In a statement about the incident, Penn State President Graham Spanier expressed shock and sadness. "As a university with a long history of campus safety, this is a shock," Spanier said. "I pledge the full resources of the university to investigate and to supply necessary counseling and related services for faculty, staff and students and to keep the public informed. "I ask everyone in the University community and the community beyond to join with me in an expression of grief and prayers for the victims' families," he added. The shooting turned the cold and rainy Penn State campus upside down yesterday, as students huddled around televisions to hear the most recent information released. "Everything here has been crazy since it happened," Penn State freshman Katie Shortt said. "Nobody really knows what's going on. It's pretty scary to know that this happens right around the corner from you." Shortt added that officials have given little information to students. She also said many rumors about the shooting are circulating, including one identifying Mensah as the suspect's ex-boyfriend. The families of both victims have been notified and Penn State officials have urged students on campus to call their parents to reassure them of their safety. In addition, the university has set up counseling services to help students, faculty and staff deal with the tragedy. Spanier commended both Penn State police and the State College Borough police for their rapid response to and handling of the matter. "I am optimistic that with good will and cooperation we will be able to fully investigate this crime and to provide all the necessary services," Spanier added. As news of the incident spread to the University of Pennsylvania's campus, both students and administrators expressed disbelief. And Penn's Vice Provost for University Life office dealt with some confusion regarding the incident yesterday, receiving phone calls from some who thought the shooting occured at Penn, VPUL Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said. "I have already called the Penn State campus both to give my profound condolences and to offer any services which I, and other members of the Penn community, might offer to help the students and community members of our sister campus move through the despair and deep sense of loss in the aftermath of the tragic incident," McCoullum said.