2 dead, 4 injured in shooting on UNC-Charlotte campus Tuesday afternoon

Two people were killed and four injured in a shooting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Tuesday, authorities said. 

Three people are in critical condition, UNC Charlotte police Chief Jeff Baker said at a press conference. All four injured were transferred to Carolinas Medical Center's main hospital in Charlotte. 

One suspect was taken into custody, and there is no reason to believe anyone else was involved, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police tweeted. Baker said police are not ready to release information about the suspect as the investigation is ongoing.

The identities of the victims are being held until their families have been notified, Baker said. 

UNC Charlotte Office of Emergency Management issued an alert around 5:40 p.m. reporting shots fired near the school’s Kennedy building. Police have not confirmed in what building the shooting took place.

Officers entered the building where the suspect was armed with a handgun, Baker said. 

“Our officers’ actions definitely saved lives; there is no doubt about that,” Baker said.

Baker said the suspect was not someone on police’s radar.

The UNC Charlotte campus remained on lockdown four hours after shots were first reported. Police are going room to room, and students and faculty are able to leave if their building has been cleared. 

Governor Roy Cooper is en route to the campus, according to a Tweet.

“This is a tragic day for Charlotte and this great university,” said Cooper in a Tweet. “We mourn the lives lost and we will all be here to support each other.”

UNC-Chapel Hill Interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz sent out a statement via email. 

"I am disheartened that I have had to reach out to you regarding so many senseless acts of violence lately, and tonight's events are an unfortunate reminder that terrible things can happen at any time and in any place," Guskiewicz said.

The North Carolina House of Representatives met in Raleigh at 7 p.m. and observed a moment of silence for those lost in the shooting. 

"News of today's shooting at UNC Charlotte shook me to the core, and I'm heartbroken for all those impacted by what happened,” State Rep. Chaz Beasley said in a statement. “Our top responsibility must be to make sure our schools are safe.”

Tuesday was the last day of classes for UNC Charlotte students. Baker said there was an increased police presence on campus Tuesday afternoon because of a Last Day of Classes concert featuring rapper Waka Flocka Flame. 

Final exams have been canceled through Sunday, according to the Office of Emergency Management.