Update, November 1, 9:35 pm: An arrest was made in connection with this case on November 1.
Dear Campus Community,
As both Salem State president and a college dad, this is the most difficult news to share. It is with a broken heart that I inform you that one of our students was tragically and fatally shot early this morning near campus. During the early morning hours of November 1, ֱ freshman student Carl-Hens Beliard was shot and killed while driving his car on Forest Avenue, near campus.
A sport and movement science major, Mr. Beliard was a freshman student from Worcester, Massachusetts. He lived on campus and was a member of the university’s varsity basketball team.
This tragedy happened off-campus and remains an active investigation led by top law officials. The Salem Police and the State Police investigative units believe this was not a random act of violence, and the situation is not an ongoing threat to campus or the neighborhood where it took place. A joint press release regarding this incident is available below.
Like most campuses, Salem State has an active police presence of trained officers and other safety protections in place. Individuals with relevant information should contact city of Salem Police at 978.744.1212 or University Police at 978.542.6111.
While city and state police have confirmed that this incident was isolated and that our campus is safe to open, we know this is difficult news to process. Health counselors are on campus today to support of students, faculty and staff.
While this sort of tragedy has an impact on our entire campus community, this news will be especially difficult for his teammates, classmates and fellow residents of Marsh Hall.
Students impacted by this tragic event on Forest Avenue are encouraged to seek assistance from counseling and health services in the Student Wellness CARE team offices in Meier Hall 245. Counselors will also be available to support student athletes in the O’Keefe Complex. Students can also call the 24/7 Mental Health Support Line for in the moment support 978.542.8327. In addition, the human resources team encourages employees to reach out to our Employee Assistance Program, Mass4You, at 1.844.263.1982. A Mass4You counselor will also be available on campus.
Faculty and staff are invited to room 249E in Meier Hall to gather. A grief counselor will be available until 4 pm and the room will be open for the day. Employees may also reach out to our Employee Assistance Program, Mass4You, at 1.844.263.1982. A Mass4You counselor will also be available on campus. Please stop by to support your fellow colleagues and for your own processing.
We will keep you posted as we learn more. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Mr. Beliard’s family and friends.
Regards,
John
John D. Keenan
President
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ESSEX DISTRICT ATTORNEY PAUL F. TUCKER DISTRICT ATTORNEY
NEWS RELEASE November 1, 2023
CONTACT: Sharyn Lubas E: Sharyn.Lubas@mass.gov C: 781-771-9779
A ֱ student was fatally shot in Salem early Wednesday morning, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller, and ֱ President John Keenan announced.
The Salem Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 1:24 a.m. for a report of a shooting in the area of 22 Forest Avenue.
Officers responding to that location found 18-year-old Carl Hens Beliard inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to Salem Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The shooting is being investigated by members of the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit and detectives from the Salem Police Department. Based on the preliminary investigation, this does not appear to be a random act of violence or that there is any on-going threat to the SSU community. DA Tucker said “This senseless gun violence is tragic not only for the victim’s family but for the SSU community and beyond. State Police detectives assigned to my office are working closely with the Salem Police Department and ֱ officials to identify and bring the person responsible to justice.”
President Keenan stated, “As both the Salem State president and a college dad, this tragedy is heartbreaking for all in our community and every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller stated, “Our hearts are very much with the Beliard family and the ֱ family. Violence such as this has no place in Salem, and we will pursue the perpetrators with all of our ability and determination.”