USC campus shooting injures four people

LOS ANGELES – Violence that sometimes borders the University of Southern California crept onto campus when an argument outside a Halloween party escalated to a shooting that critically wounded one man and injured three other people and led administrators Thursday to reassess policies of the school near high-crime neighborhoods.

Neither the victims nor two men detained were USC students, but the shooting reinforced concerns that the campus’ location near downtown Los Angeles presents risks on and off campus.

One of the men detectives were questioning was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of attempted murder.

The shooting comes after security was strengthened following the April slayings of two Chinese graduate students about a mile from the school.

School officials said Thursday they are reviewing policies regarding visitors and events but stressed that the chances of a shooting at USC are rare.

“While the risk of such an episode on campus is very low, it reminds all of us that we must look out for ourselves and be particularly vigilant about the personal safety of friends and guests at our social events,” USC President C.L. Max Nikias said.

Nikias pledged Thursday to announce changes in the school’s safety policies early next week.