The Durham Police Department (Durham PD) responded to a report of a shooting at an off-campus housing development early Thursday evening. 

Durham police were called to the scene following a report of “a female resident who had been struck with an unknown projectile” at The Lodges at West Edge, according to a press release.  

The projectile, later determined to be a bullet, had come through an adjacent wall when neighbor Brian Nguyen “accidentally discharged a handgun while he was in the process of dry firing it.” 

The 22-year-old female victim and 24-year-old Nguyen are both University of New Hampshire (UNH) students. 

The victim, whose identity is undisclosed, was treated and held for observation at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. 

When officers arrived at the apartment, Nguyen was attempting to provide first aid to the gunshot victim. 

Nguyen has been charged with one count of felony reckless conduct and was released on personal recognizance bail. His arraignment date has not been set. 

The UNH Police Department, Durham Fire Department, and McGregor Memorial EMS assisted the Durham PD in this case. 

The case remains under investigation, but no additional charges are anticipated, according to the Durham PD. 

In an email to residents obtained by The New Hampshire, Abigail Donovan, Property Manager at The Lodges, discussed the event and said they shared residents’ concerns and were fully cooperating with the police. 

“In light of this, we would like to remind everyone that possession of firearms is not allowed anywhere in our community. Violation of this policy by residents or their guests is in default of their housing contract and may lead to the termination of their lease among other actions,” Donovan wrote. 

The disciplinary process has started, according to Peter Jakel of The Lodges’ media line.  

Design Editor Shawn Latulippe contributed reporting to this article.