Student killed, another person hurt in shooting near Rutgers-Newark campus

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- The search is on for a gunman after a Rutgers student was fatally shot and another man was critically wounded just across from the Rutgers-Newark campus Sunday night.

The shooting happened just before 10 p.m. in a second-floor apartment on Central Avenue, in a building housing a restaurant and apartments.

When police arrived, they found 21-year-old Shani Patel, of Toms River, found bleeding inside the apartment. He died a short time later at University Hospital.

His 23-year-old roommate, who graduated from Rutgers last year, was undergoing surgery and listed in critical condition at a hospital, said Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray.

Three people were taken into custody and are being interviewed by police.

Authorities are looking for two more men, both described as 5-foot-9 and in their 20s who were seen running from the scene.

Sources tell Eyewitness News that drugs, believed to be marijuana and cocaine, were being sold out of that address, and that the shooting is being investigated as a robbery.

It was the 25th homicide this year in Newark.

An advisory was issued to Rutgers students but the university says the shooting isn't a random act and there are no threats to the school community.

The advisory issued by Rutgers University to students and faculty read, in part:

"Two assailants were reported to have fled the scene of the incident. The description of the assailants is as follows: two Hispanic males, approx. 20-25 years of age, approx. 5'9" in height, approx. 145 pounds. One assailant was observed to be shirtless. Both assailants fled the residence on foot in a southbound direction on Halsey Street. This incident remains an active investigation by the Newark and Rutgers Police Departments, as well as the Essex County Prosecutors Office. Additional police patrols have been deployed by the RUPD."