Police received a phone call at 9 a.m. reporting a student was unconscious in the Gladding Residence Center but as officials arrived on the scene the student was pronounced dead, according to the Director for Communication and Public Relations for VCU Pam Lepley.
GRC resident, Javan “Nai” Ware said he saw emergency vehicles outside the building at around 9:15 a.m. and witnessed an empty stretcher being carried out of the dorms.
“I was on my way back from an advising appointment and saw a fire truck, ambulance and . cop cars,” Ware said.
According to Lepley, police reported the student died of natural causes and did not suspect foul play. Residence Hall Security Coordinator Emily Hanisch said the GRC community assistants were reported not to issue any statements regarding the incident.
“We typically feed everything through media relations,” said Sgt. Nicole Daily, assistant security commander for VCU police. “We can not give (information) out until it is approved by media relations. They will have the most up-to-date information.”
Lepley said the medical examiner is working to find an exact cause of death and because this was not an incident where another life was threatened, VCU officials are withholding the student’s information until the student’s family is notified.
According to Lepley, the process of notifying family members and obtaining reports from the medical examiner can “take a while.”
A memorial group has been created by friends of the student on the social networking Web site Facebook. The group already has 36 total members, 8 of whom are VCU students, and is rapidly growing. Group members have posted comments, recalling their most recent memories or sharing general comments about the student.
University Counseling Services is offering counseling to students and is located on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. The counseling services Web site states the University Counseling Services staff is available by telephone or by walk-in appointment to offer consultation to students, staff and faculty to discuss students who are experiencing difficulties.
To schedule an appointment with the Monroe Park Campus University Counseling Services contact 828-6200?or visit their office located at 907 Floyd Ave. For the MCV Campus University Counseling Services contact 828-3964 or visit their office located at 1008 East Clay St. For more information go to www.students.vcu.edu/counseling.
Statements from friends via Facebook
Nkemdiiche Cleonicé Nwosisi
Posted Oct. 21 at 10:29 p.m.:
“Gosh..I just remembered this…….. I miss [him]… Being not so much of a soccer fan, I wasn’t certain what Arsenals, who [he] was a number one fan of, were aka’d. So I asked him out of curiosity- are they called gunners, goners, or gooners? (And) he enthusiastically said “ALL !!! LOL.”… I bet his fellow Arsenal fans would miss him now, as he’s added yet another star to heaven..
*sigh.”
Ore Alaka
Posted Oct. 21 at 9:35 p.m.:
“I don’t have much to say. I’m kinda in shock but he truly was a friendly, kind and full of life person. He was simply AWESOME!!”
Hakeem Olugbode
Posted Oct. 21 at 9:49 p.m.:
“He is just an amazing person. I have know [him] since childhood. We met in high school. He was a brother and a friend all in one. He was a lively person thats why he became the social prefect in my senior years in high school. Although i left high school like 3 years ago, we are still very close even though i school in london and he does his in america. We even spoke like 2dayz ago on phone. We had some laughs and he told me he might come to UK for (his) chrismass holiday. It is still a shock to me as i write this note cause i didnt believe he could have gone so soon. But I would like to say God almighty knows best and i would like to extend my condolence to his family and loved ones. May his sould Rest in perfect peace. Amen”
Bisola Akinduro
Posted Oct. 21 at 10:24 p.m.:
“[He] was a good and extremely lively person, he loved to party and live life. He loved arsenal, music and life in general! He was a really intelligent person. As a friend, he was someone you could always have a good time with, laugh and joke around. He loved his mom and family a lot.”
The name of the deceased has been removed in the interest of the family.