Wes student shot and killed this afternoon in bookstore

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Wesleyan U. student fatally shot; suspect at large

By KATIE NELSON – 1 hour ago

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP) — A Wesleyan University student was shot and killed at a bookstore near the central Connecticut campus Wednesday afternoon, officials say, sparking a manhunt while police cautioned students and staff to remain indoors.

Officials didn't identify the victim, but said she was a student who was at the Red and Black Cafe inside Broad Street Books.

A gun was recovered at the scene, the university said in a statement.

Police cordoned off the area around the bookstore as officers wearing camouflage and carrying automatic rifles walked the streets as onlookers gawked.

Officials at the private university notified students and faculty members by e-mail, text and voice mail about the emergency and asked them to remain inside.

Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano said he did not believe the public was in danger.

"It was focused. This wasn't random from what I can tell," Giuliano said. "Somebody went into a bookstore and fired multiple shots at one person."

State and city police did not immediately return calls Wednesday.

All campus events scheduled for Wednesday, including its popular Spring Fling concerts, were canceled.

Officials at nearby St. Mary's School, a Roman Catholic school with 240 students, ordered a lockdown for about 30 minutes Wednesday afternoon, Principal Kathleen Dutil said. Police arrived and children were dismissed once authorities gave the go-ahead, she said.

Middletown, in central Connecticut, has a population of about 48,000.