Student with local ties on Illinois campus when gunman opened fire

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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Northern Illinois University shooting

In this photo provided by the student-run Northern Star newspaper, rescue workers carry an unidentified victim from the scene of a shooting at a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008. A man dressed in black opened fire with a shotgun from a stage of a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University on Thursday before he killed himself, the school's president said. (AP Photo/Northern Star, Jim Killam)

By Jim Pinkerton

Story Created: Feb 14, 2008 at 8:34 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 15, 2008 at 11:42 AM EST

DEKALB, Ill — A South Bend woman was on the Northern Illinois University campus when a student opened fire, killing five people and injuring more than a dozen others before killing himself.

NIU locked down the campus after a gunman started shooting inside a classroom. Police identified the shooter and most of the wounded people, but are only releasing some of their names.

DeKalb County Coroner Dennis J. Miller on Friday released the identities of the four victims who died in his county: Daniel Parmenter, 20, of Westchester; Catalina Garcia, 20, of Cicero; Ryanne Mace, 19, of Carpentersville; and Julianna Gehant, 32, of Meridan.

NIU closed for one day in December when a threat was found on a bathroom wall. Police do not know whether there is a connection at this point. In both cases, the university used the e-mail alert system to warn students.

South Bend native Sunsea Shaw was headed across campus to cross country practice when the shootings happened.

"A guy came up and said,'You get back in here.' And told us to lock the doors because there was a shooting going on," she said.

Police and ambulances were on campus in two minutes, administering first aid, loading and taking the injured to hospitals.

"I didn't think it was real. I was shocked. I couldn't believe it was for real and happening," Shaw said.

As students held onto each other for support, Shaw called her mother.

"I called her and said, 'Something's going on. I don't know what's going on yet, but I love you.'"

The shooting happened at 3:07, but the university didn't post an alert online telling students there was a gunman on campus and to stay put until 3:20 -- 13 minutes after the shooting.

"This is a tragedy, but from all indications we did everything when we found out," said Dr. John Peters, NIU president.

The university is reviewing its system, but doubts whether something like this can be prevented from happening again.

"No matter what we do, it's unlikely that everyone will have the ability to stop an event like this from the beginning," said Chief Donald Grady, NIU Police.

All classes and events on campus are canceled Friday.

If parents want information, they can call any of the following hotlines:
(815) 753-1573
(815) 753-6143
(815) 753-1574
(815) 753-1575
(815) 753-9564
(815) 753-6257.

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