More than 250 attended the forums held today for students, faculty and staff. Other discussion forums are being scheduled and times will be announced in the near future.
LSC-North Harris President Dr. Steve Head said that many students and employees also took advantage of the counselors available today.
“Understandably some were a little on edge,” Dr. Head said. “But in the 40-year history of this college, this is the first-ever incident we’ve ever had.”
The campus has been open for classes today but some limited areas are not accessible due to the ongoing investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
LSCS Chancellor Dr. Richard Carpenter said the college system has been cooperating fully with the Sheriff’s Office investigation and reiterated campus safety.
“We’re constantly striving to identify new and better ways to make our campuses safer,” said Dr. Carpenter. “We will review every process that occurred as a result of this incident to make our campuses as safe as possible for our students, faculty and staff.”
Sheriff’s Office and college officials reconfirmed that the shooting yesterday was a result of an altercation between two men and was not an active shooter scenario.
The LSCS employee who was wounded as an innocent bystander, Billy Cliburn, a maintenance technician, was in good spirits earlier today at the hospital. The other shooting victim, Jody Neal, is recovering at an area hospital from gunshot wounds.
Sheriff’s Office officials reported that one of the suspects, Carlton Berry, who is in custody, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault. Berry was listed as an LSCS student.
Sheriff Adrian Garcia said that no other charges have been filed as part of the investigation but that is it still ongoing and details are fluid. The sheriff also said as part of a press conference this afternoon that sheriff’s officers are following leads that point to a possible second suspect and have not recovered the weapon used in the shooting.
“We need your help,” Sheriff Garcia said. “If you know the whereabouts of that weapon, I encourage you to call Crime Stoppers or send information through our free mobile app, iWatch Harris County.”
Dr. Carpenter praised the first responders who were part of the scene yesterday.
“The rapid response from the LSCS Police Department and many other local law enforcement agencies brought this situation under control quickly,” said Dr. Carpenter. “Our top priority remains the safety of all our students, faculty and staff, plus the surrounding community.”
With 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu
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