Del. State shooting victim dies
2 teens from Washington were shot last month after a days-old fight
By a Sun reporter
7:29 AM EDT, October 24, 2007
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Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Fark Google Newsvine Reddit Yahoo Print Single page view Reprints Reader feedback Text size: One of two students shot during an altercation last month on the campus of Delaware State University died of her wounds yesterday, according to the victim's family.

A statement posted on the university's Web site said Shalita K. Middleton, a 17-year-old from Washington who was a cheerleader and freshman biology major, was pronounced dead about 3:30 p.m. at Christiana Hospital in Newark.

"She struggled valiantly over the last several weeks, and she was an inspiration to all of her friends both in Washington, D.C. and in Delaware, as well as her family members, especially her mother Lavita and her father Tom," the statements says. "Ultimately, however, the internal injuries that she suffered were in the end too critical to overcome."




Middleton and Nathaniel Pugh, also a 17-year-old from Washington, were shot Sept. 21 about 1 a.m. after a days-old fight that involved an 18-year-old from East Orange, N.J., and other students. Those involved and their friends saw each other at a campus cafe the night of the shooting. Pugh was wounded in the ankle and has been released from the hospital.

The New Jersey teen, Loyer D. Braden, was arrested several days after the shooting, which coming after the deadly rampage at Virginia Tech, prompted a lockdown of the Dover university and sparked concerns of another random shooting incident.

Braden has been charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. There was no immediate word this morning about whether those charges would be amended to include murder.

School officials have said that Middleton, who witnesses said had tried to defuse the fight, never regained consciousness and breathed with the help of a tube.

In yesterday's statement, Delaware State University President Allen L. Sessoms said the campus is "saddened by the passing today of Shalita K. Middleton. … Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this most difficult time. I know I speak for all our DSU family in offering our heartfelt condolences."

Guns dont kill people... bullets do. Think about it!

Hope the victim finds peace in the eternal afterlife.