May 13, 2008

EDITOR’S NOTE: A headline in The Fresno Bee on Friday, May 11, described the shooting at the University Village apartments as “the Fresno State shooting.” That is an error.

The shooting was not at Fresno State. It was at an apartment complex that is not on university property and is not owned or operated by the university.

The Office of University Communications sent this request to The Bee for a correction of the error:

“Your Page A1 subhead about the tragic shooting at the University Village apartments near our campus inaccurately characterized what happened as "the Fresno State shooting." It's the kind of headline shorthand that misleads readers and also doesn't reflect the content of the story, which accurately located the event as "near" and "just west" of our campus.

“Would you refer to a shooting on E or G streets outside your building as a "Fresno Bee shooting?" Of course not.

“We would appreciate a Setting it Straight on the mischaracterization so there is no misunderstanding on your staff or among your readers about where this sad event happened.”

The Bee editors denied the request to correct this error.