Maryland High Court to Decide if Towson University Student Can Sue After 2021 Shooting

The court will determine if the university was negligent in its response to an unsanctioned campus party where a student was shot.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:12am

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An extreme close-up of a shiny brass bullet casing against a pitch-black background, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash to create a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A violent crime on a college campus raises questions about university liability and the duty of care owed to students.Baltimore Today

The Maryland Supreme Court will decide whether a Towson University student who was shot at an unsanctioned 'pop-up' party on campus in 2021 can sue the school. The student, Catherine Torney, claims the university was negligent and that campus police were not properly trained or supervised, despite knowing about the party and sending officers to the scene. The university argues it cannot be held liable for unforeseeable violence from one of the 400 partygoers.

Why it matters

This case could set an important legal precedent around the duty of care and liability for universities when it comes to unsanctioned events and parties on their campuses. It raises questions about how much responsibility schools have to anticipate and prevent potential violence, even in situations where they are aware of large gatherings taking place.

The details

In September 2021, Catherine Torney was shot at an unsanctioned 'pop-up' party held in a common area on the Towson University campus. Torney claims the university was negligent and that campus police were not properly trained or supervised, despite knowing about the party and sending officers to the scene. The university argues it cannot be held liable for unforeseeable violence from one of the 400 partygoers, and that it only has a duty to protect against foreseeable harm.

  • The party took place in September 2021 on the Towson University campus.
  • Oral arguments in the case were heard by the Maryland Supreme Court on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Catherine Torney

A Towson University student who was shot at an unsanctioned 'pop-up' party on campus in 2021 and is suing the university.

Towson University

The university being sued by Catherine Torney for negligence and failure to properly train and supervise campus police in response to the 2021 on-campus party where Torney was shot.

Joseph Cammarata

The attorney representing Catherine Torney in the lawsuit against Towson University.

Ryan Dietrich

The attorney representing Towson University in the lawsuit filed by Catherine Torney.

Jonathan Biran

A Maryland Supreme Court Justice who asked questions during the oral arguments in the case.

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What they’re saying

“She's a student. She's in a common area. The university knows that these events happen. They're pop-up parties. In fact, one happened earlier and the police then were told to stand down by the university president and the chief of police, and they were told to stand down with respect to this pop-up party.”

— Joseph Cammarata, Attorney for Catherine Torney

“There was no indication that they knew that anyone at the party was armed. In the absence of any indication of violence or impending violence, there is no reasonable foreseeability. There's the possibility, but the possibility is not enough. It needs to be the reasonable probability and foreseeability.”

— Ryan Dietrich, Attorney for Towson University

“There's no doubt, at least as alleged, that the police were concerned about this. And, as it turns out, sadly, they had reason to be concerned at that particular time.”

— Jonathan Biran, Maryland Supreme Court Justice

What’s next

The Maryland Supreme Court will issue a ruling on whether Catherine Torney can proceed with her lawsuit against Towson University. The decision will set an important legal precedent around university liability for unsanctioned events on campus.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal issues universities face in balancing their duty of care to students with the challenges of policing unsanctioned events on sprawling campuses. The court's ruling could have far-reaching implications for how schools approach campus safety and liability.