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Purdue University Shooting: One Dead, Suspect In Custody

UPDATED 1/21/2014 10:00 p.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- One person was killed and a suspect has been charged with murder after at shooting inside a classroom at Purdue University on Tuesday.

Police identified the suspect as Cody M. Cousins, 23. He was being held without bond in the Tippecanoe County Jail, charged with murder.

Police said Cousins apparently was targeting the victim, Andrew Boldt, 21, of West Bend Wis. Both were teaching assistants in the Electrical Engineering department. Investigators have begun interviewing witnesses.

Cousins made no statements after he was taken into custody.

University officials confirmed a shooting around noon Eastern Time at the Electrical Engineering building. Immediately after the shooting, the campus in West Lafayette, Ind., was placed on a "shelter in place" order, advising people to stay inside, while police searched for the gunman.

One person was taken into custody, and the shelter in place order was lifted shortly after 1:15 p.m., though the Electrical Engineering building remained closed. In a statement on the university website, officials said "there is no ongoing threat to campus."

Classes were suspended through Wednesday, and students are being offered counseling services, the university said.

"He does not brag about his intelligence. He loves to help people in need and it's a quality that we're going to miss from him," said Robert Wayner, a friend of the victim.

A candlelight vigil was held at 8 p.m. Tuesday between Hovde Hall and the Engineering Fountain.

The victim was in the basement of the building when he was confronted by the gunman, and shots were fired. Police said the suspect shot the victim and then left the area.

Dispatch reports from police indicated the suspect had blood stains on his body.

Two students told the Lafayette Journal & Courier they heard what sounded like two shots and saw someone who possibly had blood on his or her hands.

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