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A freshman at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, who was from Chicago, was fatally shot at a party early Sunday near campus, authorities said.

Keeshanna Jackson, 18, was at a party at a home in the 500 block of West Cherry Street when shots were fired shortly before 3:15 a.m., according a news release from the Carbondale Police Department. Jackson was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where she was pronounced dead.

According to the news release, while officers were at the hospital, three other people came in from the same location with “non-life-threatening” gunshot injuries. The police have not identified any suspects in the shooting, according to police Chief Stan Reno.

The shooting came just after the first week of fall semester classes, the Southern Illinoisan reported.

Javiana Boyd attended a candlelight vigil on Sunday night for Jackson, who was her cousin. She said Jackson decided at the last minute to enroll at SIU and had driven her own U-Haul down from Chicago.

Boyd, who’s also a freshman at SIU, said Jackson could make anyone laugh and she wanted to do everyone’s nails.

“She would bring joy in your life everyday just by making you smile,” she said.

Students, family and friends hold a candlelight vigil outside Davies Hall on the Southern Illinois University campus in Keeshanna Jackson's honor on Aug. 22, 2021, in Carbondale. Police say Jackson, an SIU student, died after she and three other people were shot early Sunday at a party near the school's campus.
Students, family and friends hold a candlelight vigil outside Davies Hall on the Southern Illinois University campus in Keeshanna Jackson’s honor on Aug. 22, 2021, in Carbondale. Police say Jackson, an SIU student, died after she and three other people were shot early Sunday at a party near the school’s campus.

SIU Chancellor Austin Lane, issued a statement: “We are heartbroken to lose a member of the Saluki family and extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Carbondale Police Department notified us of the incident about 3:15 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, and we are assisting CPD as it carries out its investigation.”

The statement outlined resources available to students: “We understand this comes as a shock to many of our students. If they are feeling anxious or have other mental health concerns, Counseling and Psychological Services is available to help them. … As we mourn this loss in our community, we will keep the student’s family and friends in our thoughts.”

According to Kim Rendfeld, an SIU spokesperson, the university is planning a memorial for Jackson.

The Associated Press contributed.

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