A University student has been charged wit?h murder for the weekend stabbing death of a local volunteer firefighter.
The stabbing occurred near the intersection of Wertland and 14th Streets, behind the Corner district, early Saturday morning. Charlottesville Police responded to the crime scene at approximately 1:40 a.m.
Walker Andrew Sisk, 22, was stabbed multiple times after an argument with his assailant, police said. Sisk, who was transported to the University Medical Center, died later that morning.
The alleged attacker, third-year College student Andrew Alston, has been charged with one count of murder. Alston, 21, is being held without bond in the Charlottesville/Albemarle Joint Security Complex.
When police arrived, local residents were attempting to administer first aid to Sisk, covering his wounds and attempting CPR.
City Police Sgt. David Jones said an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The murder is the first homicide in Charlottesville this year.
For the past two and-a-half years, Sisk served as a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician with the Seminole Trail Volunteer Fire Department.
Jeff Bogden, captain of the station's "B" crew, said Sisk's death will not be taken lightly in the family-like atmosphere of the station.
"We've been going through a lot of Kleenexes is the past few days," Bogden said.
Crisis teams have been assisting the station to help volunteers through the grieving process. A sizeable proportion of station's membership are either University students or in their early 20s.
"He was a brother," Bogden said of Sisk, who he described as a "real go-getter."
Sisk ranked in the top five in calls responded to within the department, Bogden said.
"You put your life on the line every day for others, often complete strangers," Bogden added. "That's what it's all about here, and that's what he was about."
At approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Bogden lowered the American flag at the station to half-mast. Black memorial drapes have been hung on fire engines and the station.
Sisk was unmarried but was planning to fly to California this morning to visit a woman he had met in Alaska while working as a tour guide. Bogden said Sisk was pretty serious about the relationship.
A statement released by University spokesperson Carol Wood concerning the incident expressed condolences for those close to Sisk.
"Friday night's incident was a tragedy for everyone involved, and the families of both young men must be dealing with immeasurable grief. But the loss of one's child is a terrible thing, and our deepest sympathies are with Mr. Sisk's family," the statement said.
Wood said she could neither confirm nor deny whether Alston had been suspended from the University because of student confidentiality.
The last time a University student faced murder charges was in 1985 when then-first year Jens Soering was charged in the deaths of his girlfriend's parents. Soering, a son of a German diplomat and Jefferson scholar, was convicted in 1990 and was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
Jones said Alston was charged under Code of Virginia section 18.2-32, which encompasses both first- and second-degree murder. First-degree murder is punishable as a Class two felony. Second degree murder carries a penalty of five to 40 years in prison.
In another statement, President John T. Casteen, III said, "We are saddened by what has occurred in our midst. Our hearts go out to the families that are impacted by this tragedy. The University will cooperate in every way with those who are conducting the investigation."
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