Hot! Virginia Tech Killer's Motive In Murder - Suicide A Mystery

The motive behind a puzzling murder-suicide on the campus with was nonetheless mysterious Friday, while investigators ongoing to be able to article along exactly why Ross Truett Ashley, a 22-year-old college student in the neighborhood college, mortally wounded a campus police officer after which it himself.

Ashley, a part-time university student at University, contacted Officer Deriek W. Crouse, whom had just ceased a motorist with campus, and also shot the pup when he or she sitting around his or her patrol car, reported Corinne Geller, that Virginia State Police spokeswoman. Crouse, an Army veteran and also hitched father of five, wouldn't return fire.

Ashley after that fled on ft . as experts removed endurance manhunt. About 30 minutes later, following changing his clothes, your dog appeared to be noticed creating "furtive movements" inside a college or university parking whole lot by simply a Montgomery County sheriff's deputy. The deputy momentarily misplaced sight regarding Ashley and with the moment the particular deputy achieved him, they possessed switched the firearm on himself.

Ashley's objective has eluded investigators.

"That's greatly the fundamental portion of the investigation right now, pinpointing for just what exactly cause the following man contacted Officer Crouse along with took his life," Geller said at your news conference.

Authorities include ruled out virtually any historical past in between the 2 men, along with the gunman has not been a latest and also former pupil from Virginia Tech . The male drivers ripped in two about by way of Crouse is really a Virginia Tech student, as well as he / she is definitely cooperating together with court arrest and also provides no connection to the actual shooter, Geller said.

The day prior to a shooting, Ashley stole a Mercedes-Benz activity utility vehicle at gunpoint from the real-estate office throughout Radford, the Virginia State Police said. The car or truck ended up being found on your Virginia Tech campus Thursday.

Officials, emphasizing quite possibly still in the middle of their investigation, ceased small connected with calling that taking pictures some sort of accidental attack.

The shooting delivered a revival involving fear to the Blacksburg campus, exactly where with 3 years ago deranged undergraduate Seung-hui Cho wiped out 32 persons inside a snapping shots spree that was the actual deadliest by way of lone gunman inside U.S. history.

"It produced back again dramatic stories of April 16," stated Wendell Flinchum, Virginia Tech police arrest chief.

Minutes soon after Thursday's shooting, school officers carried out a different stylish emergency result system this alerted school and pupils belonging to the threat through blaring sirens all over campus in addition to by means of copy message, email plus public media.

"I feel it toiled accurately while expected," claimed Larry Hincker, the actual connect vice us president to get collage relations.

The filming taken place within the exact same time that will collage officials, such as campus police, were being with Washington captivating some sort of $55,000 excellent because of the Department involving Education inside connection having the 2007 rampage. The section has fined the school with regard to holding out above two hours following your first diamond ring regarding gunfire for you to send available an e mail word of caution students, coaches while others to consider cover and avoid the actual campus.

Freshman Bronwyn Foley, 18, involving Salem, Va., said that will on Friday, libraries have been full of students researching to get ultimate exams, however numerous went on smashes in order to write information in order to Crouse's household on boards setup upon campus.

"It's already been quiet all around campus," Foley said. "Most persons are already just trying to get through finals."

A vigil pertaining to Crouse was held Friday evening at the War Memorial, your monument focused to alumni murdered when it is in army service.

After several remarks simply by students and also others, a solitary horn performed taps while rates involving people, countless crying, kept their candles while in the air, Foley said. After long silence, many began this familiar chant with "Let's go, Hokies!"

The War Memorial, which usually overlooks your nationwide grassy area in the centre involving campus exactly where mourners gathered, can be etched when using the college or university motto: "That I May Serve."