A 20-year-old man was shot in the neck at the SUNY Morrisville campus on Monday, leading to a lockdown and a large-scale law enforcement response. The victim, who is not a student at the college, was hospitalized, and authorities have not made any arrests as the investigation continues.
The shooting occurred around 3:16 p.m. on November 3, 2025, inside South Hall, a dormitory on the SUNY Morrisville campus. A hysterical 911 call reported a man with a gunshot wound, prompting an immediate response from New York State Police. Troopers arrived at the scene and found the victim with a neck injury. The campus was placed on lockdown, with emergency alerts instructing students and staff to shelter in place.
Law enforcement established a perimeter around South Hall and began evacuating the building. A suspect was seen running from the scene after the shooting, leading to a search involving SWAT teams, K9 units, and a bloodhound. The State Police set up a command post to coordinate the investigation, with assistance from university police and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim, identified as a 20-year-old man not enrolled at SUNY Morrisville, was rushed to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse for treatment. Initially, a helicopter was called for medical transport, but it was canceled due to stormy weather, and an ambulance was used instead. His condition was not immediately disclosed, but he is expected to survive.
In response to the incident, Governor Kathy Hochul was briefed and issued a statement confirming that State Police are assisting local authorities. She emphasized that the campus remains on lockdown until further notice. The shooting is being treated as a targeted event, with no indication of further threat to the campus community.
The lockdown affected not only the college but also nearby facilities. Morrisville Elementary School, which was ending its day, evacuated students using school buses under police escort. Additionally, the Crouse Community Center nursing home and a nearby Byrne Dairy store went into lockdown as a precaution.
By evening, the shelter-in-place order was lifted for most campus buildings, but South Hall and Onondaga Hall remained under lockdown as law enforcement continued searches. Students in those dorms were directed to spend the night in the campus recreation center once cleared. Classes for Tuesday were canceled to allow for the ongoing investigation and to ensure safety.
The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests announced and the suspect still at large. Authorities are processing the scene and gathering evidence, with the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation leading the effort. The incident has heightened concerns about campus safety, and updates are expected as the search progresses.