Woman killed at restaurant near KSU Marietta campus, sparking ‘armed intruder’ alert

A suspect is in custody after an armed intruder was reported on the Marietta campus of Kennesaw State University Sunday, officials said.

Marietta police now say the incident actually began at a Mexican restaurant near campus.

Police say a man shot and killed a woman he was eating with inside the El Ranchero Mexican restaurant near the campus. The man ran from the restaurant.

“The Marietta KSU campus was notified and they alerted their students and faculty as a precaution,” police said.

A massive manhunt followed involving multiple police departments and the Georgia State Patrol.

That suspect was taken into custody around 4 p.m., officials said. He has not been identified, but police said he is facing multiple charges. Police have not explained his relationship to the victim.

There was a heavy police presence at the restaurant, where crime scene tape was strung across the door.

The incident sparked confusion and panic on both the Marietta and main campuses of Kennesaw State University after a series of alerts were sent out with conflicting information.

Students were sent an alert around 2:40 p.m. Sunday and told to seek shelter in a secure location.

There was some confusion about which campus the shooter was on.

Officials first said it was the main campus, then said it was the Marietta campus 15 minutes later.

Officials further confused students by saying that the “armed intruder incident occurred on the Marietta Campus and NOT the Marietta campus.” That information went out both in a tweet and in a recorded phone message.

Several parents reached out to Channel 2 Action News to complain about how the university bungled the situation with mixed messaging.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to KSU for comment but have not heard back.

Officials said the suspect was seen near the Machinist Lodge on campus. The Machine Shop is located on the Marietta campus.

Students were told to lock all doors and windows.

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