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Philippine High School Shooting Leaves Three Dead as Two Students Detained

The Daily Desk — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:03:58 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Three students were killed and seven others wounded after two teenage students opened fire inside a public high school in the central Philippines on Monday, authorities said, in a rare episode of school violence that has drawn national attention and prompted calls for tighter security measures.

The shooting occurred at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where both the suspects and victims were enrolled. Regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said the two suspects, aged 14 and 15, were taken into custody following the attack.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and directed law enforcement agencies to strengthen security at schools, workplaces, and other public spaces, according to Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Investigation Focuses on Motive and Firearms Access

Police said investigators are working to determine what led to the shooting.

During initial questioning, the two suspects reportedly told authorities they had experienced bullying at school, Capoy said. He did not provide additional details regarding those claims.

Officials stated that neither suspect had a criminal record. Authorities are also examining how the firearms were obtained.

According to police, one of the teenagers used a 9mm pistol that had belonged to an aunt who serves as a police officer. The officer is now under investigation. The second suspect was armed with a .38-caliber revolver.

Capoy said the students were able to enter the campus with the weapons because only one security guard was monitoring multiple entrances and exits at the school, which has more than 1,500 students.

Attack Spread Across Multiple Classrooms

Police said the gunmen entered more than one classroom during the attack.

“The suspects barged into two rooms because after the shooting in the first, the children scampered and the suspects apparently ran after some victims into another room,” Capoy told reporters.

Most of those killed or wounded were female students, according to police. Investigators recovered at least 40 shell casings from the scene.

Videos circulated online appeared to show students sheltering beneath desks while gunfire echoed outside their classroom. Other footage showed frightened students leaving the campus, some embracing one another as they fled.

One suspect was apprehended on school grounds shortly after the shooting. The second fled the campus and hid in a nearby residence before being located by police after local residents alerted authorities.

Government Response

The Philippine government has pledged a full investigation into the attack.

Castro said President Marcos was deeply affected by the incident and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.

“The president was saddened by this incident. Anybody, especially the parents of the victims, will feel sad and terrified,” Castro said.

Police have urged members of the public to cooperate with investigators and provide any information that may assist the ongoing inquiry.

Following the investigation, the two suspects are expected to be turned over to government welfare authorities because they are minors.

Under Philippine law enacted in 2006, children under the age of 15 are generally exempt from criminal prosecution. Authorities must also determine whether a minor understood the nature and consequences of an offense when assessing criminal liability.

Rare School Violence in the Philippines

While firearm-related crimes remain a persistent concern in the Philippines, often linked to the circulation of unlicensed weapons, shootings inside schools are relatively uncommon.

A previous high-profile campus shooting occurred in 2022 when an armed man opened fire at a university in the Manila metropolitan area ahead of a graduation ceremony. Authorities said the attack killed a former town mayor and two other people. The suspect was later arrested.

The latest shooting has renewed scrutiny of school security procedures and access to firearms as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Tags: Philippines, Tacloban City, School Shooting, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Philippine Police, Public Safety, Education, Firearms

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MIT Scientist Killing Intensifies Security Concerns Around U.S. Academic Research Communities

The Daily Desk — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:14:55 +0000

By International Affairs Desk

The killing of an MIT scientist has intensified security concerns around U.S. research institutions after authorities confirmed they are still searching for a suspect in the fatal shooting of Nuno F. G. Loureiro, a prominent fusion physicist who led one of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s largest laboratories.

Police say Loureiro, 47, was shot Monday evening inside his apartment in Brookline, Massachusetts, near Boston. He later died Tuesday at a hospital, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, which confirmed that the homicide investigation remains active.

As first reported by The Associated Press, authorities said no suspects had been taken into custody as of Wednesday afternoon while investigators continued pursuing leads in the case.

The killing has unfolded against the backdrop of another recent campus-related shooting in the region, heightening concerns among students and administrators about security risks facing academic communities.

Security Questions Intensify Across Elite Academic Corridors

The investigation comes just days after a separate shooting incident connected to Brown University in nearby Providence, Rhode Island, where two students were killed and nine others wounded in an attack that also remains unsolved.

Officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday they have found no evidence linking the two incidents. However, the proximity and timing of the crimes have prompted renewed scrutiny of safety measures around major academic hubs across the northeastern United States.

Authorities have provided few details about the Brookline homicide beyond confirming that investigators are reviewing evidence and interviewing potential witnesses.

Community Vigil Reflects Shock in Brookline Neighborhood

Residents gathered Tuesday evening outside Loureiro’s apartment building in Brookline, holding candles in a quiet vigil to honor the scientist’s life and express support for his family.

Neighbors taped paper notices to apartment doors encouraging residents to place candles in their windows. Many attendees stood silently in the cold evening air, while others embraced or watched from nearby sidewalks as children from the neighborhood rode scooters past the gathering.

Witness accounts suggest the shooting occurred suddenly. A nearby student from Boston University, identified by The Boston Globe as Liv Schachner, said she heard three loud bangs Monday evening that she believed were gunshots.

“I had never heard anything so loud, so I assumed they were gunshots,” she told the newspaper, adding that the incident was difficult for residents to process.

Scientific Leadership Lost at a Critical Moment

Before his death, Loureiro had been leading the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, a major research facility focused on advancing fusion energy and other cutting-edge technologies.

He joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2016 and was appointed last year to head the plasma science center, one of the university’s largest research laboratories employing more than 250 scientists and staff across multiple buildings.

Colleagues described him as a respected mentor and leader in the field of plasma physics.

Dennis Whyte, an engineering professor who previously directed the center, said Loureiro “shone a bright light as a mentor, friend, teacher, colleague and leader,” praising his collaborative approach to research and leadership.

The university’s president, Sally Kornbluth, called the killing a profound loss for the academic community.

International Scientific Community Responds

Loureiro’s death also reverberated internationally. The scientist was born in Viseu, Portugal, and completed early academic work in Lisbon before earning a doctorate in London and pursuing a research career in nuclear fusion.

In Lisbon, the office of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the president of Portugal, issued a statement describing the physicist’s death as “an irreparable loss for science and for all those with whom he worked and lived.”

Before becoming director of MIT’s plasma science laboratory, Loureiro had spoken publicly about the potential of fusion energy to reshape global energy systems.

“Fusion energy will change the course of human history,” he said in remarks published by the university when he took the leadership role last year.

Investigation Continues Amid Wider Safety Concerns

For now, investigators remain focused on identifying the person responsible for the shooting in Brookline.

Authorities have not publicly released details about a possible motive, leaving the circumstances of the attack unclear. As the search continues, the case has become another flashpoint in a series of violent incidents affecting academic communities across the region.

The unresolved killing of a leading scientist, combined with other recent campus-related violence, is likely to intensify discussions among universities and policymakers about how research institutions balance openness with security in an increasingly uncertain environment.

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Kentucky State University Shooting Leaves One Dead, Another Critically Injured

The Daily Desk — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:00:42 +0000

FRANKFORT, Ky. (JN) – The Kentucky State University shooting on Tuesday afternoon left one student dead and another critically injured, sending police to a campus residence hall and forcing the university to suspend classes. Authorities say officers arrested a suspect who is not enrolled at the school, and they stress there is no ongoing threat.

The violence unfolded during the final week of the fall term at Kentucky State University, a public historically Black university in Frankfort. As investigators work to establish what led to the shooting, university leaders have shifted their focus to student safety and family support.

Police said the shooting happened around 3 p.m. at Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, a campus dormitory. Scott Tracy, assistant chief of the Frankfort Police Department, told reporters that officers arrived quickly, secured the building and detained a suspect.

“There are no active safety concerns on campus at this time,” Tracy said. He described the shooting as an isolated incident. However, authorities have not disclosed a motive.

Frankfort police identified the suspect as Jacob Lee Bard. They said he is not a student at the university. Officers booked Bard, who is from Evansville, on charges of murder and first-degree assault.

Court records available Tuesday night did not list an attorney for Bard. Jail records also did not name legal representation. In addition, the local public defender’s office and prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Campus Response and Student Support

University officials confirmed that one student died in the shooting. A second student remains in critical but stable condition. For now, the university has not released their names, citing privacy and the need to notify families.

In a statement, the university said it is in close contact with the families and is offering counseling and other support services. Administrators urged students to seek help if needed, especially as many were preparing for final exams.

University President Koffi C. Akakpo called the shooting a “senseless tragedy.” Speaking at the evening news conference, he said the loss has shaken the campus community.

“We’re mourning the loss of one of our students,” Akakpo said. “As a parent I cannot imagine receiving the call I placed today to the parents.”

Governor Andy Beshear also addressed the Kentucky State University shooting in a video message posted online. He said the incident appears to be isolated and confirmed there is no continuing threat. At the same time, he urged support for the families and students affected.

As a precaution, the university canceled classes, final exams and campus activities for the rest of the week. The fall term had been scheduled to end Friday. Students may return home if they choose, and officials said they will share further guidance soon.

Second Shooting Near Residence Hall in Four Months

Tuesday’s Kentucky State University shooting is the second incident involving gunfire near the same residence hall in four months. On Aug. 17, someone fired multiple shots from a vehicle close to Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, according to university officials at the time.

That earlier shooting injured two people who were not students. One person suffered minor injuries, while the other sustained serious injuries. Gunfire also damaged the dormitory and at least one vehicle.

Authorities have not said whether the two cases are connected. Nevertheless, the recurrence of violence near student housing is likely to draw renewed attention to campus security and coordination with local law enforcement.

A Historic Institution Confronts Loss

Kentucky State University enrolls about 2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized its creation in 1886, and it remains one of Kentucky’s public institutions of higher education. The campus sits roughly two miles east of the state Capitol building.

For many students, the timing of the shooting added to the shock. The incident occurred during what is usually a routine and focused period before exams. Instead, students saw police vehicles outside dormitories and crime scene tape around parts of campus.

Investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Meanwhile, university leaders say they will review safety procedures as needed. Although officials emphasize there is no active threat, the Kentucky State University shooting has left a lasting mark on a close-knit campus community.

Source: AP News – Shooting at Kentucky State University leaves 1 dead, 1 hurt and a suspect in custody, officials say

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Florida State University Students Return to Campus After Deadly Shooting

The Daily Desk — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 14:19:39 +0000

Students Return to Florida State Campus After Deadly Shooting, Memorials Set Up to Honor Victims

Florida State University students and faculty are grappling with the aftermath of a terrifying shooting that took place on campus, claiming the lives of two men and injuring at least six others. The tragic event unfolded Thursday around lunchtime, leaving students scrambling for safety, some fleeing barefoot or leaving behind personal belongings in their desperate rush to escape.

By Friday morning, as a somber calm settled over the campus, memorials of candles and flowers sprang up in various locations, offering a quiet space for reflection. Students and professors began the difficult task of returning to campus, retrieving belongings and trying to come to terms with the horrific events of the previous day. A pair of vigils were scheduled for the afternoon to honor the victims.

Carolina Sena, a 21-year-old accounting student, vividly recalled the moments when the gunshots rang out inside the student union. “I heard some gunshots and then, you know, just blacked out after,” she said. “Everyone was crying and panicking. We were trying to barricade ourselves in a little corner in the basement, trying to protect ourselves as much as we could.”

Investigators identified the shooter as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old who was reportedly a Florida State student and the son of a sheriff’s deputy. He used his mother’s former service weapon in the shooting, although the motive remains unclear. Authorities confirmed that the victims, who were not students, were fatally shot just outside the student union.

Ikner’s mother, a longtime member of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, had kept the handgun for personal use after the department upgraded its weapons. Sheriff Walt McNeil said that Ikner, a member of the sheriff’s office’s youth advisory council, had been involved in several training programs with the agency, which made his access to firearms unsurprising.

As of Thursday night, Ikner was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. His condition remains unconfirmed by the hospital.

Aidan Stickney, a 21-year-old business management student, narrowly avoided becoming a victim of the shooting. He had been running late to class when he saw the shooter approach a man with a shotgun. The weapon jammed, and the shooter quickly switched to a handgun, opening fire on a woman. Stickney, acting swiftly, ran for safety while warning others and calling 911.

“I got lucky today. I really did,” Stickney said, reflecting on how close he came to danger.

As the shots rang out, students across campus scattered in all directions. Holden Mendez, a political science major, had just left the student union when he heard the gunfire. “There was a lot of fear. A lot of panic,” he recalled. His emergency response training kicked in, and he worked to calm those around him, reassuring them that the building they were in was secure.

Andres Perez, another student, was in a classroom near the student union when the lockdown alarm sounded. He and his classmates quickly barricaded the door with desks as they awaited the arrival of police officers.

“I always hang out in the student union,” said Perez. “So the second I found out that the threat was there, my heart sank and I was scared.”

The shooting sent shockwaves across the country, drawing reactions from political figures including President Donald Trump, who called it “a horrible thing” while reiterating his stance against new gun legislation. “The gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do,” he said from the Oval Office.

Florida State University President Richard McCullough expressed his sorrow, saying, “Our hearts go out to our students and the victims of this terrible tragedy.”

This is not the first time Florida State has experienced gun violence on campus. In 2014, a gunman opened fire in the university’s main library, injuring three people before being shot and killed by police. The university, with an enrollment of about 44,000 students, has long been a center of academic and extracurricular activity, but the dark shadow of violence has now touched the campus again.

In response to the attack, Florida State University canceled classes for the remainder of the week and also called off home athletic events through Sunday. As students and faculty process their emotions, the return to campus will be a difficult journey—one marked by grief, resilience, and a determination to heal.

The community remains shaken, but as vigils take place and memorials continue to grow, there is a sense of solidarity and support that is helping many begin to heal from the tragedy that has upended their peaceful campus life.

Source: AP News – Students at Florida State gather at memorials, prepare to retrieve belongings after deadly shooting

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