Campus Alert Archive
Southern

Gunshot Inside Jones Hall Dorm Triggers Campus Lockdown; Suspect Arrested in Texas Eleven Days Later

LAshootingemergency notificationmedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

On March 2, 2025, at approximately 7:00 PM CST, a shooting occurred inside U.S. Jones Hall dormitory at Southern University, leaving one person hospitalized. The campus was locked down and students were told to remain in their dorms. The suspect, Semaj Joiner, 23, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Fort Worth, Texas on March 13, and charged with attempted second-degree murder.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
1
Institution
Southern University and A&M College
Hbcu · LA
~7,000 studentsSU Alert / Jags Safe
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTWebsite
Verified verbatimABC News (quoted the Southern University website alert message verbatim)157 chars
ATTENTION: There has been a shooting incident in U.S. Jones Hall. The possible suspect is a Black male waring a black hoodie with rhinestones and dark pants.
Verbatim message Southern University posted to its website at approximately 7:24 PM CST on March 2, 2025, quoted by ABC News
The typo 'waring' (for 'wearing') is preserved exactly as the university published it
The shooting occurred around 7:00 PM CST on the second floor of U.S. Jones Hall; a student reported hearing a single gunshot
ALL CLEARmulti-channel
Approximate reconstruction230 chars
SU ALERT: The campus lockdown has been lifted. Police are seeking a suspect described as a Black male wearing a black hoodie with rhinestones and dark pants. Report any information to SUPD at 225-771-2770 or use the Jags Safe app.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

ABC News reported the all-clear was issued at approximately 9:15 PM CST on March 2, 2025, after police secured the scene
Campus police released photos of the person of interest the following day on March 3, 2025
Context

Background

On the evening of March 2, 2025, Southern University Police Department responded to a shooting inside U.S. Jones Hall, a residential dormitory on the Baton Rouge campus. A student in the building reported hearing a single gunshot on the second floor at approximately 7:00 PM CST. One person was found with a gunshot wound and transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The university immediately placed the campus on lockdown and alerted students to remain in their dorms. The following day, campus police released photos of a person of interest described as a Black male wearing a black hoodie with rhinestones. On March 13, U.S. Marshals arrested Semaj Joiner, 23, in Fort Worth, Texas, approximately 11 days after the shooting. Joiner was charged with attempted second-degree murder, carrying a firearm on school property, and illegal use of a weapon. The incident was part of a series of violent events that prompted the Southern University chancellor to issue a message to the campus community about safety concerns.
Analysis

Key Findings

The suspect fled Louisiana and was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Fort Worth, Texas, 11 days after the shooting
The shooting occurred inside a residential dormitory, raising serious questions about building access and security
Southern University's chancellor subsequently addressed the campus about a pattern of violent incidents
Outcome
One male victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition. Semaj Joiner, 23, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Fort Worth, Texas on March 13, 2025. Joiner faces charges of attempted second-degree murder, carrying a firearm on school property, and illegal use of a weapon.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Southern campus locked down after shooting at U.S. Jones Hall dorm (WBRZ)
    wbrz.com
  2. News
    Southern University placed on lockdown after shooting at U.S. Jones Hall dorm (WWLTV)
    wwltv.com
  3. News
    Accused gunman in Southern University dorm shooting arrested in Texas (WAFB)
    wafb.com
  4. Official
    Chancellor's message on recent incidents (Southern University)
    subr.edu
  5. News
    Pictures released of person of interest in connection to SU on-campus shooting (WAFB)
    wafb.com
Tags
shootinghbculouisianadormitorycampus-lockdownfugitive-arrestus-marshals
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion