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Gunman in Arizona college shooting said he was chased by victims, police say

The incident occurred near a section of the campus housing fraternities.

By Doug G. Ware

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- A man who police say killed an Arizona college student Friday -- and wounded three others -- appeared in court and was charged with first-degree murder.

Authorities say Steven Jones, 18, became involved in an altercation with a group of students early Friday on the campus of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. In the middle of the fight, police say, Jones retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and shot four people.

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One student, 18-year-old Colin Brough, died at a hospital. The other three received injuries but their conditions were not known Friday evening.

Officials said Jones was a freshman at the university, as were all four victims.

Jones reportedly told police that the people he shot had punched him in the face and were chasing him when he fetched the gun from his vehicle. The fight occurred outside of a residence hall on campus.

Phoenix ABC affiliate KNXV-TV reported that Jones briefly cried in court Friday as the charges against him were read.

Jones faces one count of first-degree murder and three counts of felony aggravated assault. He is being held on a $2 million bond.

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"The City of Flagstaff as well as the Flagstaff Police Department would like to extend our condolences and support in the investigation of the tragic shooting on Northern Arizona University campus," the Flagstaff Police Department said in a Facebook post. "Flagstaff City Mayor Jerry Nabours has pledged full support from the City of Flagstaff Police Department and its resources."

The incident at NAU was the first of two deadly shootings on or near a college campus Friday.

One person was killed and another was wounded at an apartment complex owned by Texas Southern University in Houston. Two people have been detained by police and a third person is still being sought in that case, police said.

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