WASHINGTON, September 17 -- Five basketball players of the Duquesne University were shot on campus early Sunday after they tried to pacify a man, leaving Sam Ashaolu, a cousin of former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon, in critical condition, official said.

Police searched for the gunman, and the downtown school stepped up its round-the-clock police protection with armed university police officers guarding dormitories and other buildings.

Two players attempted to pacify a man who had been disruptive at a student union dance but were shot when they walked away. Players who rushed to their aid were also shot.

The gunman and a group of people with him were not students, university president Charles Dougherty said. Several witnesses saw the gunman leave campus after the shots were fired.

In serious condition was Stuard Baldonado of Colombia, a transfer from Miami Dade College who was considered the school's best recruit.

Also hospitalized was Kojo Mensah, a guard from New York City, school officials said at a news conference Sunday. His condition was not released.

Treated and released were Shawn James of New York City, the nation's leading shot blocker last season at Northeastern University before transferring to Duquesne; and Aaron Jackson of Hartford, Connecticut, a guard who is one of only two returning players from Duquesne's 3-24 team last season.

Witnesses reported seeing two guns, Dougherty said. And six to 12 shots were fired, he said. But the reason for the violence is not known.

Duquesne University is a private Catholic university with nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students.