Toronto Basketball Player Critically Wounded In U.S. University Shooting

Five players were injured when a man opened fire after a party at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh around 2:15am Sunday. Toronto’s Sam Ashaolu was one of them and he suffered the worst injuries.

Police are still searching for the shooter who opened fire outside Vickroy Hall, a campus dormitory.

Two players were returning from the party when they came across a man who had reportedly been disruptive at the bash. When the pair tried to calm him down he shot them and when other players rushed to their aid, they were also shot, police said.

“He’s definitely a good person and would help anybody that’s in need, so I could see that,” said family friend Amy Davidson.

Authorities say they don’t believe the triggerman was a student at the school.

“First and foremost, we are concerned about our students and are praying that each of them has a full recovery,” Duquesne spokeswoman Bridget Fare said in a statement. “We will offer support and services to the victims and their families, as well as to our other students who may have been affected by this tragic incident. This type of situation has never occurred before on Duquesne’s campus. The university is co-operating fully with the ongoing investigation.”

Ashaolu is the cousin of former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon and had recently been transferred to Duquesne from Lake Region State College in North Dakota. His parents left the GTA for Pittsburgh Sunday.

“I was impressed with the way he came out and worked hard and (he) just seems like a real good kid,” Canadian head coach Leo Rautins said Sunday. “He’s a smart player. As a basketball player, he’s a big kid, physical, but just has a really good feel for the game.

“It’s a horrible thing, I hope he’s all right.”

Ashaolu’s teammate Stuard Baldonado is also listed in critical condition. Three other players – Shawn James, Kojo Mensah and Aaron Jackson – suffered minor injuries and were treated and have since been released from hospital.