As detectives continued their investigation early Thursday into a Halloween night shooting in the heart of USC's campus that injured four people, officials said they believed they had the gunman in custody.
"There is no pending danger" to the university, Asst. Chief John Thomas of the USC Department of Public Safety said early Thursday.
Two suspects were taken into custody shortly after the 11:45 p.m. shooting, said LAPD Cmdr. Bob Green.
USC security officers followed the suspects as they ran toward a parking garage and detained them. A gun was also recovered near where the suspects were apprehended, Green said.
Only one of the suspects was believed to be the shooter -- Thomas said detectives were looking into whether the second was an accomplice. Thomas called the shooting "totally an isolated incident" and said he was "optimistic" the suspected shooter would be booked in the coming hours.
The shooting was prompted by an argument between the shooter and another man, officials said. The shooter shot the man three or four times in the torso, Green said.
That victim was in critical condition at a local hospital. Three bystanders suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to local hospitals.
Michael L. Jackson, USC's vice president for student affairs, issued a statement on the university's web site noting that campus security was monitoring the party, witnessed the shooting and was able to quickly apprehend the suspects.
He said that campus policy requires that student parties be open only to guests with student IDs from USC or another university.
"This incident reminds us that we must look out for ourselves and be particularly vigilant about the personal safety of friends and guests at our social events," Jackson said in the statement.
"We all play an important role in ensuring a safe campus," he added.
Both Thomas and Green said the suspects and victims were not affiliated with the university but were likely on campus for a party at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center.
The details of the event were not immediately known, but Thomas said it was sponsored by a "university-affiliated group."
Students said more than 100 people were outside the campus center when the shooting occurred and described a chaotic scene that followed.
The campus was locked down immediately after the shooting and students were advised via text message alert to stay inside. That lockdown was lifted a few hours later.
Classes will proceed as scheduled Thursday, Thomas said.
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-- Kate Mather at USC
Photo: Scene at USC campus. Credit: Ashley Riegle
