AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – It was back to business as usual for UMass Amherst students on Friday. One day after two men, one armed with a gun, assaulted a student inside a dormitory.
One student, Sarah Osman, told 22News she was reassured by the way the school handled the situation. “We were kept updated every few minutes. We were constantly in the know. And we feel a lot more comfortable knowing how the school handles emergencies.”
Campus was locked down for almost two hours while students were told to shelter-in-place. One day later, students had returned to their normal routines; walking to classes and hanging out with friends.
Varan Culanathan said the feeling was definitely calmer on campus, but Thursday night’s events were still very much on student’s minds. “There’s definitely been conversation about it, even up to now. So, it’s definitely taking its toll on peoples’ minds and calmness.”
Culanathan added that students felt uneasy, even though his dorm was across campus from Pierpont.
According to Adam Elghazzawi, UMass freshman, “Other people are not taking it seriously. Some kids have asked me to walk with them home. And other kids don’t really care.”
One of the suspects, 19-year-old William McKeown surrendered in Framingham on Friday and will be arraigned in Belchertown on Monday. Campus Police are still looking for the second suspect. McKeown’s accused of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and armed robbery.
