One dead and another in a critical condition after shooting at Middle Tennessee State University

One person is dead and another critically injured after shots were fired following a high school graduation at Middle Tennessee State University. 

The incident occurred outside the university’s Murphy Center athletic facility Wednesday night where Riverdale High School was holding its commencement.

At least two people were struck as graduates and their families were leaving the ceremony, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to DailyMail.com.

‘Tonight’s shooting at MTSU is a tragedy. We mourn with the family who lost a loved one and the victim injured,’ officials said in a statement. ‘We are asking for the public’s patience. We are at ground zero on this investigation.’

The shooter or shooters remain at large. Dozens of officers and K-9 units are canvassing the area for the suspect. Residents are asked to avoid the area and call authorities if they see anything suspicious.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired on MTSU’s campus around 8.51pm Wednesday.

When police arrived on scene they found two gunshot victims near the tennis court next to the Murphy Center. One victim was dead and another in critical condition. 

It is unclear if one the victims were students, however, Rutherford County Schools will be closed Friday as a ‘precaution,’ a district spokesperson told Newschannel 5.

‘The school is going to be closed tomorrow. We can’t comment on anything about suspects or victims. School is closed as a precaution. We are doing this as a precaution only,’ the spokesperson said.

Witnesses have reported hearing six shots ring out, with some alleging the gunfire stemmed from a fight between two men. Police have not confirmed this account. 

A social media user whose bio says he lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee – where MSTU is located – claims he heard five or six shots ring out.

‘Me and my family were on the other side of the tennis court we heard all 5 shots and the 6th one we heard it hit something metal,’ Max, who was attending his younger brother’s graduation, tweeted.

‘It was loud so it must have hit a pole or something. We were on the grass talking laughing and drinking cold drinks because it was hot.’

Max claims his family ‘froze’ as frantic bystanders started fleeing the area.

‘We looked around and looked at the direction of it – we saw people running and we heard people screaming for help,’ he wrote. ‘I got my family out as quick as we can.’

Twitter user @a18217635, identified only as A, claims the shooting took place outside the Murphy center as people were leaving.

A claims their sister, who was reportedly 10 feet away from the incident, saw a group of boys. 

‘No other description of shooter,’ A penned. ‘No idea if they were arguing as it was noisy.’

Another witness claimed the high school graduation ceremony was over and families were taking photos together when she heard shots ring out.

‘I heard five shots, looked and saw my 12-year-old daughter start running,’ the witness told FOX 17. ‘I took off after her and she turned around and seen a child on the ground but we just keep running. So so sad. Truly is.’

The woman claims her daughter told her: ‘Mom, I will never forget seeing them fall to the ground.’