Graduate Student Shoots Himself In Front Of Professor

[Benjamin455]

PHOENIX -- Emergency crews and law-enforcement officials gathered at the College of Design building at Arizona State University in response to a shooting call midday Monday, according to a dispatcher with the Phoenix Fire Department.

Apparently, a graduate student was talking to a professor, pulled out a gun and killed himself.

There were no other injuries reported; however, authorities said one other person witnessed the shooting.

Police have not released the identities of the graduate student, professor and second witness.

The building was evacuated after the incident, and ASU media relations officer Julie Newberg said the College of Design will remain closed until further notice.

"People aren't allowed in the building because we're investigating it," said ASU police Commander Jim Hardina.

ASU also cancelled classes in the College of Design.

An alert went out on the school's emergency text-messaging system about 30 minutes after the event.

"Arizona State University is deeply saddened to report that a male graduate student committed suicide at the Architecture South building on the Tempe campus this morning," Newberg said in the alert.

Newberg also said the school will have counseling services available to students, faculty and staff who may have known the student "to help ease their pain at this difficult time."

Design student Ben Tieni, who was in the building at the time of the shooting, said the school's response was "really quick."

"I feel there's not a lot of places (where) I feel safer than at the school," Tieni said. He also said the design students were a tightly knit group.

[lorrel]

," Tieni said. He also said the design students were a tightly knit group."

If the group was so tight knit, how is it no one saw this coming?

[Twister]

Originally Posted by lorrel

," Tieni said. He also said the design students were a tightly knit group."

If the group was so tight knit, how is it no one saw this coming?

Perhaps because humans are not as transparent as other humans would like? People kill themselves... it happens. Sure, we would like to be able to prevent such things from happening, but it is not as simple as "oh, you should have known".

Keeping people from killing themselves and others seems to be a larger goal, and we don't do that very well either (obviously).

[bogey1]

at least he didnt take anybody with him.

[Tomcat088]

Originally Posted by bogey1

at least he didnt take anybody with him.

I agree, at least he decided the only person he was going to physically hurt was himself. Sad thing though for his family, friends, etc.

[Statkowski]

Does ASU prohibit firearms on campus?

[lorrel]

Originally Posted by Twister

Perhaps because humans are not as transparent as other humans would like? People kill themselves... it happens. Sure, we would like to be able to prevent such things from happening, but it is not as simple as "oh, you should have known".

Keeping people from killing themselves and others seems to be a larger goal, and we don't do that very well either (obviously).

Perhaps you didn't realize I was being a bit sarcastic, but thanks for the philosophy lesson

[Halftrack]

Originally Posted by Statkowski

Does ASU prohibit firearms on campus?

I doubt he was too worried about facing charges.

[Benjamin455]

ASU does indeed prohibit firearms on campus (even with a permit/license) but I have heard that there is policy pending with the Arizona Board of Regents to permit students to bring firearms to campus if they secure them in a vehicle prior to going to their classes.

This of course, would still result in students being disarmed in their classes and would only help those students that drive to campus. A large percentage but certainly not ALL students. And besides, car break-ins are so frequent, it's not even funny.

[Twister]

Originally Posted by lorrel

Perhaps you didn't realize I was being a bit sarcastic, but thanks for the philosophy lesson

Ah yes, sorry Sarcasm does not come across well over text sometimes. heh.

I guess I was in a serious mood there for a bit.