January 23, 2009 VA Tech student decapitated by suspect www.privateofficer.com
VA Tech student decapitated by suspect www.privateofficer.com
BLACKSBURG VA Jan 23 2009 Virginia Tech officials said today that a 22-year-old Chinese graduate student who was just starting her studies here was decapitated last night in an attack at a campus restaurant.
The victim was identified as Xin Yang of Beijing. who arrived Jan. 8 at Tech as a graduate accounting student.
Haiyang Zhu, 25, of Ningbo, China, was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder. He is a doctoral candidate in agricultural economics who had started studies in the fall, Tech officials said.
Police Chief Wendell Flinchum told reporters at a news conference this morning that police arrived within about minute of the 7:06 p.m. 911 call.
“It was a horrific crime scene and the victim had been decapitated,” Flinchum said.
The suspect was still at the scene and police found the murder weapon, Flinchum said, describing it as a kitchen knife.
There were seven witnesses to the attack at the Au Bon Pain cafe at Tech’s Graduate Life Center, where Yang resided, Flinchum said.
Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said emergency contact records maintained by the university confirmed that Zhu and Yang knew each other. But they did not immediately know how long the two had been acquainted.
Yang’s mother, who lives in China, was notified last night by telephone, Hincker said.
Tech officials said that Zhu did not have any previous contact with university or Blacksburg police, or the university’s Threat Assessment Team or CARE Team.
Tech President Charles W. Steger acknowledged the concern over the slaying on the campus that endured the April 16, 2007, mass shootings.
“It brings back back memories of April 16 and I have no doubt that many of us feel especially distraught,” Steger said.
Hincker said the university remains concerned about the welfare of the university student community, particularly the Chinese scholars there, and added there are counselors on duty to help.
In Richmond, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine issued this statement:
“My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Xin Yang today — and with the broader Virginia Tech community. The tragic attack on campus this week has no doubt revived terrible memories for countless members of the Hokie family.
“I urge the citizens of the commonwealth to join me in sending sympathies and support to Virginia Tech in the days and weeks to come.”
The victim was identified as Xin Yang of Beijing. who arrived Jan. 8 at Tech as a graduate accounting student.
Haiyang Zhu, 25, of Ningbo, China, was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder. He is a doctoral candidate in agricultural economics who had started studies in the fall, Tech officials said.
Police Chief Wendell Flinchum told reporters at a news conference this morning that police arrived within about minute of the 7:06 p.m. 911 call.
“It was a horrific crime scene and the victim had been decapitated,” Flinchum said.
The suspect was still at the scene and police found the murder weapon, Flinchum said, describing it as a kitchen knife.
There were seven witnesses to the attack at the Au Bon Pain cafe at Tech’s Graduate Life Center, where Yang resided, Flinchum said.
Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said emergency contact records maintained by the university confirmed that Zhu and Yang knew each other. But they did not immediately know how long the two had been acquainted.
Yang’s mother, who lives in China, was notified last night by telephone, Hincker said.
Tech officials said that Zhu did not have any previous contact with university or Blacksburg police, or the university’s Threat Assessment Team or CARE Team.
Tech President Charles W. Steger acknowledged the concern over the slaying on the campus that endured the April 16, 2007, mass shootings.
“It brings back back memories of April 16 and I have no doubt that many of us feel especially distraught,” Steger said.
Hincker said the university remains concerned about the welfare of the university student community, particularly the Chinese scholars there, and added there are counselors on duty to help.
In Richmond, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine issued this statement:
“My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Xin Yang today — and with the broader Virginia Tech community. The tragic attack on campus this week has no doubt revived terrible memories for countless members of the Hokie family.
“I urge the citizens of the commonwealth to join me in sending sympathies and support to Virginia Tech in the days and weeks to come.”
JOIN THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE OFFICERSwww.privateofficer.com/
Get news alerts, officer down, weather emergency news in your mailbox! Sign up;adminassist@privateofficer.com
Join us at www.myspace.com/privateofficernews
Come be part of our social network! www.privateofficer.com
Get news alerts, officer down, weather emergency news in your mailbox! Sign up;adminassist@privateofficer.com
Join us at www.myspace.com/privateofficernews
Come be part of our social network! www.privateofficer.com
Advertisement
Tags: blacksburg virginia, loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, national association of private officers, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard training, security officer, security officer assaociation, security police association, security training, student decapitated, va tech, va tech student killed, virginia tech, www.privateofficer.com, xin yang
- Leave a comment
- Posted under police
