By Austin Cannon
A 20-year old man was shot in the buttocks last night at 2301 University Ave., just two blocks from Drake University’s eastern edge.
According to Des Moines Police, Terence Jackson was standing in the parking lot of the Platinum Kutz barber shop when a man in a green sweatshirt shot him in the left buttock. DMPD responded and arrived at the scene a little after 7 p.m.
Witnesses reported several shots and the suspect fled the scene, running north. An ambulance took Jackson to Mercy Medical Center where he was treated for his injury.
Drake University Public Safety sent out a Bulldog Alert at 7:41 p.m., advising students to stay away from the area. Almost an hour later, another Bulldog Alert said Drake Public Safety and DMPD would be increasing patrols for the remainder of the night.
Several hundred additional people were on campus to hear fashion design icon Tim Gunn speak at the Knapp Center at the time of the shooting. After Gunn finished, Drake President David Maxwell assured the audience that the situation was under control.
In an email sent today to Drake students and staff, Director of Drake Public Safety Scott Law said the initial Bulldog Alert was sent out after Public Safety received conformation of gunshots from DMPD.
Also in the email, Law encouraged students to verify that they are on the list to receive Bulldog Alerts on blueView and listed safety measures to follow when off-campus.
Students are urged to report all crimes to Public Safety at (515) 271-2222 or, if the situation is more serious, call 911.
