Joseph Paul

jpaul@jconline.com

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University football player was identified Monday as the victim in a shooting near campus.

Police found Andrew Chelf, 20, about 3 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of Wiggins Street with a single gunshot wound in his torso, West Lafayette Police Department Capt. David Van Vactor said.

Chelf, who is listed as a safety on Purdue's football roster, was transported to a local hospital.

He appears to be recovering, according to a Tweet he posted Sunday afternoon.

"Blessed to see another day ... don't take things for granted," he said.

Police believe "there is a shooter" and that the gunshot wound was not self-inflicted, Van Vactor said.

The Purdue athletic department issued a statement Monday afternoon promising support for Chelf and police.

"First and foremost, we are thankful that Andy is on the road to recovery, and we are appreciative of the hospital staff. Our Office of the Dean of Students, as it does in any such case, has been in touch with Andy and his family to offer its assistance. A number of our coaches and players spent Sunday at the hospital. We certainly will do whatever we can to assist the West Lafayette Police Department in its investigation of the incident.”

An arrest has not been made.

Anyone with information should call WLPD at 765-775-5200 or the WeTip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463.

Call J&C reporter Joseph Paul at 765-420-5339, email him at jpaul@jconline.com or follow him on Twitter:@JosephPaulJC.