Olivet College baseball player shot at university in Ohio
NEW CONCORD — A suspect is in custody after a shooting injured an Olivet College baseball player on Friday evening at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, according to Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz and a spokesperson from the university.
New Concord is located about 70 miles east of Columbus.
Lutz said there was one victim, later identified by the university as a player with the visiting Olivet College baseball team, who was shot multiple times.
He confirmed late Saturday that the person taken into custody was a suspect, based upon witness descriptions.
The shooting happened just after 7 p.m. and occurred at the North Turf, just north of Mose Morehead Field, according to a release from Muskingum University, which put a shelter in place in effect immediately after getting the call at 7:23 p.m..
A member of the Olivet baseball team had returned to the dugout to retrieve a forgotten personal item after a game against Muskingum University, according to a statement released by Olivet College. An incident then occurred involving an individual with a firearm.
The name of the suspect or victim have not yet been released. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The student received "nonlife-threatening" injuries and was released to his parents, according to Olivet College.
Last night, following the completion of our baseball game at Muskingum University (OH), an incident occurred involving an individual not associated with the Comets. An Olivet College student-athlete received nonlife-threatening injuries. Read more https://t.co/5zgFO5MF8g
— olivetcollege (@olivetcollege) March 18, 2023
No harm occurred to faculty, staff and students, Muskingum University said. The shelter in place was lifted at 9:15 p.m. after the suspect was taken into custody.
The Olivet baseball team defeated Muskingum, 8-6, Friday. The game began at 4 p.m. and lasted about three hours.
Olivet was scheduled to play games against Penn. State - Behrend and Muskingum University on Sunday and another game against Penn. State - Behrend on Monday, all in New Concord, Ohio, but all three games have been canceled.
Jennifer Shaver, Muskingum Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communication, said in an 11 p.m. press release that the university has canceled all athletic events for Saturday and Sunday.
The Olivet team spent Friday night at their hotel and was scheduled to return to Olivet on Saturday morning.
Following an incident after tonight’s game at Muskingum University, the Olivet College baseball team will not be playing its games tomorrow and Sunday in Ohio. All coaches and players are safe, and the team will be returning to Michigan tomorrow morning.
— Olivet College Athletics (@OlivetAthletics) March 18, 2023
"The College is in communication with the student-athletes and their parents and will continue to provide support in the days ahead," Olivet College said in its statement. "This is a challenging time for all involved and our attention is focused on supporting the student-athletes and staff members. Please keep your fellow Comets in your thoughts and prayers."
First responders from the New Concord Police Department and Muskingum University Police assisted with the Sheriff's Office in searching for a suspect. The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Guernsey County and Noble County Sheriff's offices also assisted.
sblackbu@gannett.com; Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Olivet College baseball player shot at Muskingum University in Ohio
