Campus Alert Archive
IUP

A Homecoming Afterparty Five Blocks From IUP Became a Mass Shooting Scene at 12:35 AM

PAmass shootingtimely warningmedium confidence

In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 8, 2023, a mass shooting at a private party at the Chevy Chase Community Center in White Township killed one person and injured eight others, approximately a mile from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus. The event, occurring during IUP's homecoming weekend, was billed as an 'Official IUP Homecoming Afterparty' but was not sanctioned by the university. IUP issued alerts asking students to shelter in place until approximately 6:40 AM, placed additional police on campus, and offered counseling to those affected.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
1
Injured
8
Institution
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Public Masters · PA
IUP Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTSMS
Approximate reconstruction188 chars
IUP ALERT: Mass shooting reported near campus at Chevy Chase Community Center, White Township. Shelter in place. Avoid the area. IUP police are monitoring the situation. Updates to follow.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed, not verbatim: CBS Pittsburgh and WITF confirm IUP issued shelter-in-place alerts after the mass shooting at the Chevy Chase Community Center, White Township, at approximately 12:35 AM EDT on October 8, 2023.
The event was presented as an 'Official IUP Homecoming Afterparty' on social media but was not sanctioned by the university.
ALL CLEAREmail
Approximate reconstruction324 chars
IUP ALERT UPDATE: The shelter-in-place advisory has been lifted. The shooting at the Chevy Chase Community Center has been investigated and the immediate threat has passed. IUP Police and state police are conducting an ongoing investigation. Additional officers will be visible on campus. Counseling resources are available.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed all-clear sent approximately six hours after the shooting; RMU Sentry Media confirmed IUP instructed students to remain in a secure location until 6:40 AM EDT.
The vice president of student affairs sent a follow-up communication acknowledging student fears and urging the community to share information with police.
Context

Background

In the early morning hours of October 8, 2023 -- IUP's homecoming weekend -- a mass shooting erupted at the Chevy Chase Community Center on North 5th Avenue in White Township, approximately one mile from the IUP campus. About 150 people were attending a private party that had been advertised on social media as the 'Official IUP Homecoming Afterparty.' Pennsylvania State Police said a confrontation inside the building escalated into gunfire, with multiple shooters believed to be involved. Jamar Herriot Jr., 22, of Homestead was killed; eight others were injured, at least two of whom were IUP students. IUP activated its alert system and placed enhanced police presence on campus throughout the morning. Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers and the ATF offered a combined $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The university's vice president of student affairs sent a community message acknowledging student fear and offering counseling. IUP, a public masters-level university in Indiana, Pennsylvania with approximately 8,000 students, has long navigated tensions around off-campus social events near its urban campus.
Outcome
One person was killed: Jamar Herriot Jr., 22, of Homestead, PA. Eight others were injured, at least two of whom were IUP students. Multiple shooters were believed to be involved. Pennsylvania State Police, working with the ATF, offered a $15,000 reward for information. No immediate arrests were announced.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    1 dead, 8 injured after mass shooting near IUP campus - WITF
    witf.org
  2. News
    One killed, at least 8 injured in mass shooting near Indiana University of Pennsylvania - CBS Pittsburgh
    cbsnews.com
  3. Student Paper
    Mass Shooting near Indiana University of Pennsylvania Leaves 1 Dead and 8 Wounded - RMU Sentry Media
    rmusentrymedia.com
  4. News
    Confrontation inside community center near IUP campus led to mass shooting, state police say - CBS Pittsburgh
    cbsnews.com
Tags
mass-shootinghomecomingoff-campustimely-warningpennsylvaniaindiana-pamultiple-victimsatf
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion