Conway, Arkansas – A calm early morning at the University of Central Arkansas took a sharp turn when a student was shot on campus, prompting a response from school officials and raising concerns about safety among the campus community.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday in the parking lot of the Student Success Center, located near the intersection of Donaghey Avenue and Bruce Street. According to a statement released later in the day by UCA President Houston Davis, the shooting stemmed from an argument that escalated into violence.
The victim, a UCA student, was shot in the leg and immediately transported to a nearby hospital. Thankfully, the injury was not life-threatening, and the student has already been treated and released, according to Davis.
Authorities moved quickly and have confirmed that a suspect was apprehended not long after the shooting. “There is no indication that this individual is a current or former UCA student,” Davis said in his statement. “At this time, we believe this was an isolated incident.”
While the campus was not placed on lockdown, the sudden burst of violence has left many students and faculty on edge. Campus safety is already a pressing issue at universities across the country, and this incident only adds to the growing unease. “We know that this incident and other campus shootings nationally in recent days and weeks have given us all a sense of anxiety and concern regarding college campus safety,” Davis said. “This is a troubling pattern, and we understand and share in that sentiment.”
University officials emphasized that safety remains a top priority. “We work daily to provide a safe and accessible campus for our students, faculty, staff, and constituents. It takes all of us working together to make this happen,” Davis stated. He added that the matter remains under active investigation and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Authorities are urging witnesses or anyone with knowledge about the shooting to contact the UCA Police Department at (501) 450-3111. The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, and police have not confirmed whether the weapon used has been recovered.
For students affected emotionally by the event, Davis also highlighted available resources on campus. “The UCA Counseling Center is available at (501) 450-3138 if students or anyone in our campus community is in need of their services,” he said.
The shooting has sparked renewed discussions among students about campus safety protocols, especially concerning late-night security and lighting in parking areas. Some students have expressed frustration on social media, calling for increased police presence in high-traffic areas and more accessible emergency call stations.
While the university works with law enforcement to gather more details, many are hoping this remains an isolated case, as described in the president’s statement. Still, the impact of such events tends to linger well beyond the moment they happen. Fear, uncertainty, and the need for reassurance are now part of the dialogue as the UCA community processes the incident and looks ahead.
The university is expected to release further updates as the investigation continues.
