CLEVELAND, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Dr. Shannon Lamb, the suspect in the DSU shooting, is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Department and other agencies on the ground in the county.
Greenville Police spotted his black Dodge Avenger on Mississippi Highway 1, and gave chase. He eventually stopped, bailed out of the car and ran into the woods, where he shot himself.
Lamb was the chief suspect in the murder of DSU history professor Ethan Schmidt. Schmidt was shot and killed Monday in his office in Jobe Hall, located near the main quad at the center of campus.
Police say Lamb then quickly left the scene and was last seen driving a black Dodge Avenger with Mississippi tag # STF 015.
He was also a suspect in the murder of Amy Prentiss in Gautier earlier Monday. Detectives believe Lamb was romantically involved with Prentiss and shot and killed her at a home on Santa Cruz Street.
Lamb called police around 10:20 a.m. Monday and reported the murder.
Jarod Grem was in the building when professor Schmidt was shot.
"We heard about four muffled shots and I turned around and looked at one of my friends and he had said, 'That doesn't sound good,'" said Grem, who is a DSU freshman
Grem said the whole experience felt surreal.
"Another officer busted in the door, and I hit the ground thinking it was someone coming to shoot up our room," added Grem. "I hit the ground, and he told everyone to line up, and they pretty much had like fifteen cops in the hallway, every direction guns pointing, and they were just yelling, 'Go! Go! Go! Go!'"
The University sent out an alert around 10:40 on Monday morning saying that there was an active shooter in that building.
According to Delta State’s website, Schmidt was an Assistant Professor of American History. Grem said Schmidt was one of his teachers and really made an impression on him.
"I heard he got shot and I couldn't help but tear up," said Grem. "I've only known the man three weeks, and he just explained to us his background, his values and his morals. He just seemed like a great family man."
Delta State canceled all classes for the remainder of the day and night.
Governor Bryant was in communication with Delta State's President William LaForge and with Department of Public Safety Commissioner Albert Santa Cruz. The governor offered the full support and assistance of DPS, including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
According to the Bolivar Commercial, all secondary schools in Cleveland and Cleveland School District were on lockdown for the safety of the children.
Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Glenn Boyce issued the following statement on Schmidt's death:
“The Board of Trustees and I are extremely saddened by the passing of Delta State University professor Ethan Schmidt. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. We commend the Delta State University police and leadership for the quick response to the situation and their efforts to keep students, faculty and staff safe. We would also like to thank the other law enforcement agencies who have responded for their immediate and ongoing assistance to the university. We are in constant communication with the campus and are working with campus officials to provide assistance where needed.”
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Dr. Shannon Lamb Source: DSU
Friends are turning to Facebook to beg Professor Shannon Lamb to turn himself in
Amy Prentiss.....Source: Facebook
Ethan A. Schmidt Source: DSU
Source: Skycopter
