Garissa University College attack

== Attack and hostage-taking ==
The attack started at around 05:30 am local time.<ref name=BBC1>{{cite web |title=Kenya attack: Garissa University assault 'killed 147' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32169080 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2 April 2015 |access-date=2 April 2015 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629034307/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32169080 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two unarmed guards were killed at the entrance.<ref name="Gwhcsw">{{cite news |title=Garissa: What has changed since Westgate? |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/africa/2015/04/garissa-changed-westgate-150405123032987.html |access-date=8 April 2015 |agency=Al-Jazeera |date=5 April 2015 |archive-date=8 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408124227/http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/africa/2015/04/garissa-changed-westgate-150405123032987.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 20 students were rescued by soldiers, including Collins Wetangula, who described the presence of at least five masked, armed gunmen, as well as Christians being "shot on the spot".<ref name=AP1>{{cite web |last1=Odula |first1=Tom |last2=Muhumuza |first2=Rodney |first3=Khalil |last3=Senosi |title=Al-Shabab militants kill 147 at university in Kenya |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e1f42fc2fd034658a3a22dff9d6d0612/police-gunmen-attack-university-eastern-kenya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131326/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e1f42fc2fd034658a3a22dff9d6d0612/police-gunmen-attack-university-eastern-kenya |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2015 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=2 April 2015 |date=2 April 2015}}</ref> Other survivors indicated that the shooters had summoned the pupils to get out of their bedrooms in the dormitory and to position themselves face-down on the ground, but then executed the students.<ref name=AFP2>{{cite news |title=Somalia's Shebab warn Kenyan public of 'long, gruesome war' |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2015/04/04/somalia-s-shebab-warn-kenyan-public-of-long-gruesome-war |access-date=4 April 2015 |agency=AFP |date=4 April 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404234651/http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2015/04/04/somalia-s-shebab-warn-kenyan-public-of-long-gruesome-war |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Kenya Defence Forces]] and other security agencies were deployed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Al-Shabab: Christian hostages held in Kenya university |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/gunmen-attack-garissa-university-northern-kenya-150402041939434.html |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |access-date=2 April 2015 |date=2 April 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404015900/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/gunmen-attack-garissa-university-northern-kenya-150402041939434.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They surrounded and sealed off the university to flush out the gunmen, with the Interior Ministry and [[Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre]] reporting that three out of four dormitories had been evacuated.<ref name=Reuters1 /> Michael Bwana, another student who fled, said that "most of the people still inside there are girls", in reference to the remaining student dormitory where the gunmen were believed to be hiding.<ref name=AP1 />

The siege ended after nearly 15 hours,<ref name=Reuters1 /> with four gunmen killed just after dusk.<ref name=AP1 /> The masked attackers wielded [[AK-47]]s and were strapped with [[explosive belt|explosives]]. Four of the terrorists were shot by the Recce Squad Commandos of the Kenyan GSU. The fifth terrorist was able to detonate his suicide vest causing injuries to some of the commandos.<ref name=BBC1 /><ref name=AP1 />

Of the 148 dead, 142 were students, 3 were soldiers and 3 were police officers.<ref name=BBC2/> Around 587 students escaped, but 79 were injured. Authorities said all students have since been accounted for.<ref name=BBC1 />