A Lackawanna College student is dead after a shooting in Scranton's Hill Section early Sunday.
Rahsan Crowder, 22, of Harrisburg, was pronounced dead at 3:45 a.m. at the trauma unit at Geisinger Community Medical Center, according to Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland.
It was the first homicide in Scranton in at least a year, acting city police Chief Carl Graziano said.
At about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, city police responded to Vine Street and Madison Avenue for a reported shooting. Upon arriving, Chief Graziano said officers saw a group of people "scatter" and found Mr. Crowder "with gunshot wounds."
Police said they are trying to enhance video of people fleeing the scene.
Officials immediately transported Mr. Crowder to GCMC, where he died.
Police are in the early stages of the investigation, but Chief Graziano said "it appears as if this was not a random act."
He said police believe the victim attended a party near the scene of the crime and was involved in an argument, which spilled out onto the road.
Though it's "premature to say" they have suspects, Chief Graziano said police are conducting "a lot" of interviews today and have began following up on forensic information as well.
Shortly after officers arrived at the scene, the University of Scranton sent out both an email and text message alert, advising students to stay inside and secure doors.
A follow-up email sent this afternoon said "although the immediate danger has passed, students should avoid the area because an active criminal investigation is in progress."
Lackawanna College has counselors available to "help anyone in need of assistance," according to a from the college.
"We are absolutely heartbroken," said Wendy Evans, Lackawanna College's director of external relations. "It's a terrible tragedy. He was a part of our college community."
Anyone with information is asked to call city police at 348-4141.
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