Thiel College campus community mourns after shooting death of student in Youngstown

Te'nya McKinley

Family, friends, and classmates from Thiel College are in mourning following the shooting death of first-year student Te’nya McKinley.

Social media posts have identified the 18-year-old as the victim of Sunday night’s shooting along Glennwood Avenue near Sherwood Avenue.

“We are profoundly heartbroken by the loss of Te’nya McKinley, a vibrant and promising student whose presence was felt by all who knew her,” said Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Mike McKinney, Ed.D. “Our heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and the entire Thiel community during this difficult time. We will provide support and resources to those who seek comfort and counseling as we navigate through this tragic event together.”

The College’s counseling staff will be in the office Wednesday until 4 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for more immediate support.

Students may stop into the counseling center on Thursday or email the Director of the Counseling Center to schedule an appointment.

Students needing support outside of regular business hours can contact the College’s Public Safety office, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The office can aid students in getting emergency support.

McKinley was found inside an SUV and taken to the hospital where she died.

The SUV had multiple bullet holes, shattered windows, and two flat fires.

Nearly 100 shell casings were found in a parking lot.  According to police, YPD's Shotspotter recorded 131 rounds fired at the time of the murder.

"This homicide was proceeded by multiple "car meets" in the city throughout the day where vehicles and the people driving them disregarded traffic laws, the safety of themselves and others, and common sense," according to a news release from YPD Lt. Mohammad Awad. "There were dozens of vehicles and people participating in these car meets including the last one where the homicide occurred.”

As of Monday, Awad said no one has come forward with information on the murder even though there were several witnesses.

According to police, McKinley was an innocent bystander in the shooting. 

Anyone with information or video of the incident is being asked to call Crime Stoppers at 330-746-CLUE or 330-746-8YPD.