In the last month, there have been reports of multiple violent acts nearby Le Moyne’s campus.  These acts included shootings and gang-related crimes.

These alarming incidents became more prominent after Syracuse University was put on lockdown on Oct. 14, after a homicide was reported near the campus. As a result, a 15-year-old male was found dead and a 17-year-old male was injured from a gunshot to the leg. Le Moyne residents were not informed about this crime. There was no email or Heights Alert sent to the students.

Mackenzie Dreher, a senior at Le Moyne, expresses her thoughts about the school’s actions in regard to this incident, “Le Moyne was irresponsible by not informing the students on campus. I understand that the school does not want to scare us, but at the same time they are hiding information about incidents happening five minutes away.”

Many students found out about the Syracuse University lockdown via social media.

More shootings have taken place in the past couple of weeks. There have been six shootings in three days, according to Syracuse.com. The shootings have taken place at all different hours of the day, ranging from 11:25 a.m. to 8:50 p.m.

The latest homicide involved a 25-year-old male riding his bike near the Clinton Plaza Apartments. Tony Guyton Jr. was shot three times by Rashaad A. Walker Sr. on Nov. 10 around 1:25 p.m. The gunshots to Guyton’s pelvis were fatal. Walker Sr. is a member of the “110 gang” and police are investigating him as a suspect to other shootings in the Syracuse area, according to Syracuse.com.

Guyton’s death marks the 21st homicide in Syracuse this year. There were 22 homicides reported in Syracuse last year.

Many students say that they are unaware of the killings that have been taking place.

According to Mark Petterelli, Director of Security at Le Moyne, he believes that there is a more important question to ask regarding safety in the area, “I believe the larger question is how can we, as members of a Jesuit College, continue to foster the idea of Men and Women for and with others.  If we truly live that and share that message with everyone we come into contact with, showing respect, dignity and compassion for all,  we can make our community not only a safer place to live, but a better place to live.”

Students need to always be thinking about their personal safety and be aware of their surroundings, said Petterelli.

Rachel DellaRagione, a junior transfer student, did not realize how much crime has been occurring in the past few weeks, “I am not from this area so prior to being informed about these crimes, I had absolutely no clue. I find it frightening that there are 21 homicides so far. More students should know about this, not to scare them, but to prevent them from having a false sense of security.”

A teenager was shot on Sunday before noon. There was a gunshot around 11:50 a.m. that was reported to the police. A 16-year-old boy was shot in the leg near Lime Street. According to Syracuse.com, the boy’s injuries are not life threatening.

“Students need to be informed so they can take proper precautions. I now check Syracuse news somewhat regularly so that I know what is going on,” said DellaRagione.