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College Park Shooting Raises Concerns Over Mental Health & Gun Control

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ)—A college student guns down two of his roommates--killing one, wounding another-- before turning the gun on himself.  Now those who knew the gunman are coming forward, and lawmakers are weighing on the issue of mental illness and gun control.

Rochelle Ritchie spoke to those who knew the gunman and lawmakers about gun control and mental illness.

The surviving roommate is out of the hospital and recovering with family. The gunman left no suicide note, only a trail of questions.

The investigation continues into the death of 22-year-old Stephen Rane. His roommate, Dayvon Green, opened fire on he and their roommate Neal Oa before killing himself.

"My thoughts are this is a great tragedy for the University of Maryland's entire community," said University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh.

Oa survived the gunshot wound to his leg and is now out of the hospital.

Green's family tells police he suffered from a mental illness and had been prescribed medication in the last year.

"Homicide detectives are now working with the ATF to determine how and when the guns were purchased," said Julie Parker, Prince George's County Police.

This shooting is just one of many in the last few months bringing the issue of mental illness and gun control under the microscope of lawmakers.

"It's drawing the connection between those who have mental health problems and those who commit acts of violence," said Attorney General Doug Gansler.

The roommates lived at an off-campus home and were studying at the University of Maryland College Park.

The gunman is said to have had a promising career as a future engineer.

Green did his undergraduate studies at Morgan State University and graduated last year. He excelled in the classroom and gained the reputation of a brainiac by other students.

"I remember I had a math class I was having problems with. He helped me," said Shaneshia West, MSU student.

Police say Green set fires in the backyard of his off-campus home to lure his roommates out of the house. That's when Green let off a round of bullets.

Rane died at the scene. Green then shot himself in the backyard.

WJZ tried for a second time to speak to Green's family. They still have no comment.

Police also found baseball bat, a fully loaded Uzi and a machete in a bag belonging to Green.

Rane was an English major and graduated from Centennial High School in Ellicott City in 2009.

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