North Lake College, part of the Dallas County Community College District, went on lockdown at 11:43 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3. Students and employees received emergency notification at that time by text, email or telephone.
The Irving Police Department arrived on campus to assist North Lake College Police in a building-by-building search following reports of shots fired on campus. As each building was searched and secured, law enforcement officers instructed students and employees to leave the building and exit the campus.
The Irving Police Department has reported two deaths on campus, stating that a murder-suicide may have occurred. No information about the persons who died is available at this time.
Dr. Christa Slejko, president of North Lake College, said, "This is an emotional time for the North Lake family. We're heartbroken that such a tragedy has occurred on campus. We will address any needs for counseling on campus as soon as we re-open."
She added, "North Lake students and employees followed lockdown procedures, and we are relieved that no one else was injured. We also offer our thanks to officers from the Irving Police Department, who partnered with North Lake College Police, to protect students and staff on campus."
Dr. Joe May, DCCCD's chancellor, said, "On behalf of the Dallas County Community College District, I want to express our grief and sadness about the shooting tragedy that occurred at North Lake College today. We will work with the Irving Police Department on this investigation, and we thank them for their assistance. Now we must move forward as a community to console each other and to help one another during this difficult time."
All North Lake College campuses will be closed until Monday, May 8; all classes are canceled.
Students or employees who need to retrieve personal belongings from buildings on the main campus should go to the central campus library tomorrow (Thursday), May 4, between 9 and 11 a.m. so that they can be escorted by college police.
(Note: Dr. Christa Slejko shared this statement with area news media today at approximately 2:30 p.m., along with Lauretta Hill, DCCCD's commissioner of public safety and security.)
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