Following an incident that left one student with a gunshot wound, and another one with minor injuries, York University has increased the presence of Toronto Police and Security Services on campus.
Additional patrols will be on campus for one week, at which time the situation will be re-evaluated, says Joanne Rider of York media.
Annie Malik and Namra Malik were both injured in the shooting, which took place outside of the Underground Restaurant. Annie was shot in the leg and underwent surgery this morning, while Namra has been discharged and is recovering at home, sources tell Excalibur.
York administration was told of the incident around 10:44 p.m. on March 6, and put up notices on emergency monitoring LCD screens on campus first, followed by the university website, and social media—the most relevant communication channels at that time, says Janice Walls of York media.
York instituted a “shelter in place” status for several hours until they were advised by Toronto Police that regular operations could resume. When the “shelter in place” status was in effect, people were told to stay inside, and an emergency bulletin was posted on the homepage of York’s website, and on emergency monitoring screens on campus, says Rider.
The university did not notify students via email until the morning of March 7.
“York emailed some time earlier in the morning than 10:20 a.m., but it takes time for 55,000 emails to go through the system,” says Rider.
On Friday morning, some students were still unaware that a shooting had taken place on campus.
“I was tutoring one of my students, and she asked me if I’d heard of it,” says Andrei Nikolaev, a PhD student in chemistry. “I hadn’t checked my email since morning.”
“Social media channels including Twitter and Facebook alerted students to the situation,” says Rider. “York Student Services have been and are actively engaging with students and others who have expressed concerns or asked questions through social media.”
A statement from York’s President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri was released by York around 8:52 a.m. on March 7, stating the university is working with the police in the investigation.
“Our immediate focus is on supporting the two students and their families, and in providing counseling support for York community members,” said Shoukri. “Senior university representatives have been with the victims at the hospital, and I am appreciative to hear that both are receiving the treatment they need.”
The university resumed operations at approximately 1:15 a.m., as did the TTC, which had rerouted four bus routes to bypass the campus.
The suspect, who is still at large, is described as black, approximately five feet seven inches to six feet in height. He was wearing a black hoodie and black coat at the time of the incident.
The police are urging anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3100.
Hamid Adem and Tamara Khandaker
