Former student held after three shot at college

AN ex-student was in police custody yesterday after three people were gunned down in a college computer room.

Two of the victims were in a critical condition, said police in Phoenix, Arizona.

The shooting at South Mountain Community College was part of a running dispute between the suspect and one of the victims, said Sergeant Andy Hill of Phoenix police.

“This was not a random shooter going around the campus shooting,” said Sgt Hill, noting that two of the injured people were struck by stray bullets. “I saw someone get punched and then I heard three shots after that,” said student Yessenia Lara, 18. “Everybody basically ducked, and the shooter got away.”

The suspect was identified as Rodney Smith, who police said was a former student at the college.

Smith, 22, was arrested at an address a few kilometres away, police spokesman Reuben Gonzales said. Also arrested at the home were Smith’s parents and three other people on charges of interfering with an investigation and failure to obey a police officer.

A 17-year-old boy was in a stable condition.