Oct. 1, 2008: University Police Chief Gay Shepherd reported that TTU Lt. Dan Gragg filed warrants for the arrest of two suspects in the Tech Village shooting incident that occurred early Saturday morning. Officers from the City of Cookeville Police Department arrested both men late last night without incident.

The two suspects are identified as Rashad Heyward, a TTU freshman business major from Oak Ridge, and Mark Anthony Wallace, who is not currently enrolled at TTU.

Both have been charged with reckless endangerment and aggravated assault as a result of the shooting.

The incident occurred around 2:45 a.m. Saturday in the Tech Village complex. No injuries were reported, but damage included bullet strikes in one building and two cars, according to campus police.

A TTU police officer was in the area when he heard the gunshots. Shortly thereafter, the University Police dispatcher received a complaint of a fight in the area. When the officer arrived at the Tech Village H-West building, he found a male student who reported being fired upon.

The victim reported the shots coming from a small black imported car, possibly a Honda or Nissan, which quickly left the scene. The car was described as being driven by 2 black males, the driver with short curly hair wearing a white shirt, and the passenger with dreadlocks wearing a black shirt.

The university’s campus notification systems were used early Saturday afternoon to make faculty and students aware of what happened. Questions were raised as to why it took so long for the notifications to go out.

Monica Greppin, university spokesperson, said the early information indicated an isolated incident with no immediate danger to the campus. The detail that became available later in the day once the investigation proceeded warranted notification to the campus and to request help in possibly identifying suspects.

"At 1:30 p.m. a text message and a broadcast e-mail were sent, a campus crime alert message was posted on the TTU Web site, and flyers were distributed throughout campus residence facilities."

She said TTU officials are now "reviewing the notification process for the future" and are "carefully evaluating this incident and other possible scenarios for changes."

The investigation is ongoing.

Sept. 29, 2008:  Campus crime alert update — Suspects have still not been identified in Saturday morning’s shooting. The campus community is encouraged to be cautious and watch for the suspects or any suspicious activity. The university is now offering a reward up to $500 in addition to the Crime Stoppers reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of a suspect. Call 520-STOP to confidentially report any information.  Watch the TTU website for future updates.

Sept. 27, 2008: Gunshots were reported in the Tech Village area at 2:45am. According to police reports, it appears to be an isolated incident. The university has no indication of immediate danger to campus.

Suspects have not been found. However, police are looking for a small, dark-colored imported auto - possibly a Nissan or Honda - seen in the area. The car was reportedly being driven by 2 black males, the driver with short curly hair wearing a white shirt, and the passenger with dreadlocks wearing a black shirt.

If you have any information about this incident, please call Crimestoppers at 520-STOP.