2 College students shot to death in Mississippi

Two college students were killed in weekend shootings in Mississippi, authorities said. Jackson State University freshman Nolan Ryan Henderson, 19, of Atlanta was shot to death at an off-campus pool party early Sunday, police in Jackson, Miss., said. Mississippi State University student John Sanderson, age 21, of Madison, Miss. was slain in a campus dormitory Saturday night, school officials said. Jackson State President Carolyn Meyers called Henderson's death "a very tragic loss." "As a parent and grandparent, my heart goes out to the family. We offer our sincerest condolences and prayers during this very difficult time," she said in a statement posted on the school's Web site. The (Jackson) Clarion-Ledger reported the pool party where Henderson was shot in the face was at an apartment complex within walking distance of the Jackson State campus. The freshman, who was found on the ground in front of one of the apartment buildings, lived in a campus dormitory, the newspaper said. Police had not characterized the shooting or made any arrests. The Clarion-Ledger said the apartment complex's management had posted a memo to apartment doors that called the shooting "accidental." "The individual was visiting friends at our community when the incident occurred, and we are working with officials," the memo stated. In the Mississippi State shooting in Starkville, police said Sunday they were searching for three men in the slaying of Sanderson. "This is the first time in our school's history that such a tragic incident has occurred, involving a student being shot on campus," school President Mark Keenum said in a statement posted on the MSU Web site. "Our campus is known as a safe place, and I want to assure students, parents, faculty, and staff that it continues to be safe. "Our Bulldog family is saddened by this event and the loss of one of our students. Our hearts go out to John Sanderson's family and friends. They continue to be in our prayers."