Officials ID victim of fatal shooting at Worcester State University as search for suspect continues

WORCESTER, Mass. — Classes are canceled Monday as authorities continue to search for an 18-year-old man wanted on charges in connection with a fatal shooting at Worcester State University.

Kevin Rodriguez, who last lived in Lawrence, is wanted on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man on campus around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s office on Monday identified the victim as Randy Armando Melendez Jr., of Southbridge.

Worcester State University Police responded to the shooting scene after receiving a 911 call. Upon arrival, police located two men, including Melendez, suffering from gunshot wounds.

Melendez died from his injuries. The second victim, a 21-year-old man, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Rodriguez is considered armed and dangerous, the DA’s office noted.

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Authorities searching for 18-year-old wanted on charges in connection to fatal shooting in Worcester Authorities searching for 18-year-old wanted on charges in connection to fatal shooting in Worcester (Kevin Rodriguez -- Worcester DA's Office)

Neither the victims nor the assailants were students of the university, according to the DA’s office.

According to court documents the shootings took place during an altercation between two groups of people that took place on campus.

“It’s honestly heartbreaking that it happened here, especially right outside the dorm room,” said

This cell phone video was recorded from a nearby dorm during the shooting, but the student’s parents asked to shield her identity.

This cell phone video was recorded from a nearby dorm during the shooting, but the student’s parents

“The most heartbreaking thing some girl was screaming, he’s dead, he’s dead. It was really hard to hear, honestly,” the student told me.

The shooting forced school administrators to cancel homecoming and parents weekend events as well as cancel all classes on Monday.

Therapy dogs visited the campus to try and help people heal from the shock of this violence.

“Students were definitely affected. Staff and faculty were affected,” said Sgt. Cynthia Torres, a dog handler from the Southern Connecticut State University Police Department.

Worcester Police, Worcester State University Police, Massachusetts State Police, and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office are investigating the shooting.

Anyone with information on Rodriguez’s whereabouts is urged to contact Massachusetts State Police Detectives at 508-453-7589 or the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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