Delaware State, a historically Black institution with 3,690 students, began the school year mourning victims of the Aug. 4 shootings that occurred at an elementary school in their hometown of Newark, N.J.

Natasha Aeriel, 19; her brother, Terrance Aeriel, 18, and Dashon Harvey, 20, were students. Iofemi Hightower, 20, had planned to attend Delaware State this fall. Natasha Aeriel, the only survivor, helped police identify six suspects who have been arrested.

Holmes said there was no indication that Friday’s shooting was related in any way to the Newark, N.J., killings. Both of the victims in Friday’s shootings were from the Washington, D.C., area, officials said.

Students have said tension between rival groups of friends from New Jersey and Washington, D.C., preceded the shooting.

While investigators worked to find the shooter who opened fire early Friday as several students left a campus dining hall, a classmate recalled how the violence had escalated from altercations during the week.

“They’ve been getting into it, New Jersey people and D.C. people,� James Dillion, 23, said Saturday. “Thursday night, they saw each other again and got into it,� he said. “Everybody’s still astonished about what happened.�

Sessoms said the campus would return to normal business on Sunday, and classes would resume Monday. “We’re moving ahead,� he said.

Campus meetings were planned in response to the shooting, Sessoms said.

“Clearly, we’re doing some things well, but we need to do other things better,� he said.


- Associated Press


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