2 Cal Maritime students shot while pumping gas in Vallejo

The Brief

• Two Cal Maritime students were shot while pumping gas in Vallejo.

• The university president said they were innocent victims and that a suspect might have been arrested.

• The cadets’ injuries are serious and family and the school are raising money to help their families.

VALLEJO, Calif. – Two Cal Maritime cadets were shot this week while they were pumping gas in Vallejo, which the academy said was an “unprovoked criminal attack.”

What we know

Interim president Michael J. Dumont sent a letter to the campus community saying that the cadets were both shot on Tuesday about 7:30 p.m. while they were in the process of getting gas in the 500 block of Sonoma Boulevard and Tennessee Street, a few miles from campus.

Vallejo police have not responded to KTVU’s request for more information, but Dumont said that he believes police have one suspect in custody.

Open Vallejo reported that people in a white Mercedes and blue Impala were shooting at each other when the Cal Maritime cadets were hit.

One cadet was shot in the face and the other in the neck, the news site reported. 

Dumont stressed that the cadets, whom he didn’t name, were “innocent victims” of the shooting, and each were brought to the hospital for their injuries.

“The cadets are recovering and doing as well as can be expected given the injuries suffered,” Dumont wrote.

Cal Maritime is a part of the California State University system and is the only maritime academy in the West Coast.

Why you should care

Maude Hutson created a GoFundMe for her brother George. She said he was shot in the face waiting for his friend to pump gas.

He underwent emergency surgery, put into a medically induced coma and was taken to intensive care at UC Davis neurology, she said.

“Despite everything, my brother, George, is showing incredible strength and resilience, like he always does,” Hutson wrote, adding that her brother’s road to recovery is just starting.

Hutson could not immediately be reached for more information.

Dumont said that one of the cadets has since been released from the hospital and is recovering with family and the other remains in the hospital.

KTVU has not immediately determined who the other student is.

What you can do

The Cal Maritime Foundation also created a donation page where people can help if they want.

Dumont said he’d like to help both families with travel, hotel lodging, and meal expenses so they can remain focused on their loved ones and their recovery.

Dumont reminded his students and wider community to be mindful of their surroundings.

“If you perceive trouble brewing, immediately exit the area and call 911,” he wrote.  “Given the spate of robberies and shootings in Vallejo, it is important for you to avoid areas with a history of robberies, shootings, and other violent attacks, especially during the hours of darkness.”

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED: If you’d like to help George, click here. If you want to contribute through Cal Maritime, click here.