Kings’ Harrison Barnes calls for ‘change’ after shooting at University of North Carolina

Kings forward Harrison Barnes took to social media Monday to express shock and sadness following a deadly shooting at his college alma mater.

Barnes, who starred at North Carolina before coming to the NBA, offered thoughts and prayers to everyone involved after a gunman killed a faculty member in a science building at the university’s Chapel Hill campus.

“This is heartbreaking,” Barnes tweeted. “One week into school. Change has to come. Extending my prayers and thoughts to my UNC-Chapel Hill community.”

Barnes spent two years at North Carolina, where he played for Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams. Barnes helped the Tar Heels make back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight in 2011-12.

Police arrested a suspect in Monday’s shooting over three hours after reports of gunfire on campus. Charges were pending. The suspect was not immediately identified.

University officials did not immediately identify the faculty member who was killed. They said it was too soon to provide a possible motive.

“This loss is devastating, and the shooting damages the trust and safety that we so often take for granted in our campus community,” UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz told reporters in a news conference.

Adrian Lanier, a sophomore computer science major, told the Associated Press he and others sat against a wall in a gym, trying to stay away from doors and windows.

“No one really felt safe enough to leave. I didn’t,” Lanier said.

Guskiewicz apologized to students during the news conference, acknowledging those who are “feeling uncertain about your safety right now.”