The town of Middletown and the campus of Wesleyan University have renewed their calls for vigilance in the aftermath of the shooting of a student on Wednesday. All students are to remain in the residence and all professors and staff should stay home from work today.
Yesterday a suspect, identified as Stephen Morgan, has not yet been apprehended. He has allegedly walked into a book store where the victim, Johanna Justin-Jinich, was working. He shot her and walked out. Police believe he is still in the area and presume him to be armed and dangerous. She was pronounced dead at the Middlesex Hospital.
All gatherings and candle-light vigils in her honor have been cancelled and students are asked to remain indoors. A swat team, who had been practising routines nearby, quickly came to the scene and took over the investigation.
This is one more reason why gun controls should be tightened. Guns near or on a university campus are not necessary. Why was she shot? Who is Stephen Morgan and what was his motive? Why can’t people learn from other’s mistakes? If one person has a gun that is viewed as a use of power over another person who is often a victim of abuse or worse.
Texas is very close to allowing students to carry weapons to school. This is a very tenuous circumstance. Everyone will be afraid to voice their opinion or to disagree or to end a relationship for fear of being gunned down. School is no place for weapons, books and computers are the right thing. Talking out your problems with a counsellor or chaplain should take precedence over carrying and threatening others with a gun.