University Police officials are investigating an alleged suicide that occurred yesterday morning near the Alderman Road residence halls, according to University Police Capt. Michael Coleman.
University Police could not confirm the victim's identity as of yesterday afternoon, Coleman said.
The victim was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in a vehicle parked in the fire lane between Fitzhugh and Dunnington dormitories, he added.
"I can say that we believe it to be a suicide, however we are going through the full investigation process as we would any death that was not from natural causes," Coleman said. "At this point, we don't believe the person was a student or otherwise affiliated with the University."
Coleman said University Police received a call at approximately 7:50 a.m. yesterday and arrived at the scene about two minutes later. Fire and rescue squad personnel were called to the scene and a medical examiner also was notified.
Coleman said police officers questioned students in dormitories near the scene to see if they had any information.
First-year Engineering student Melanie Barkers, a Fitzhugh resident, said police stopped by her suite around 8:30 a.m. yesterday.
"They just said that it had been a suicide in a black Jaguar in a fire lane near our dorm," Barkers said.
Barkers said she saw the vehicle when she left for class at 9 a.m. and when she returned around 11:30 a.m., the vehicle was gone.
First-year College student Golnaz Jalali, another Fitzhugh resident, said she was in her suite with the window open last night when she heard a man's voice yelling around midnight.
"It was a loud scream -- about two or three seconds," Jalali said.
Jalali said she and her roommate both heard the scream but did not take any action.
"We didn't really think anything of it," she said. "I don't even know if it was associated with the [alleged] suicide."
University spokesperson Carol Wood said a bulletin was posted on the University Web site around 3 p.m. yesterday notifying students about the alleged suicide and a bomb threat that prompted authorities to evacuate Old and New Cabell and Wilson Halls temporarily.
"We thought it was important to get the facts of what we knew [at the time] into the University community," Wood said. "I think people tend to speculate, and I think getting the facts out helps dispel greater fears."
Dean of Students Penny Rue said an incident of this nature can adversely affect some students.
"When there's a suicide on campus, it is a strong stimulus for those who are already having suicidal thoughts," Rue said. "It can be an excellent time to reach out to others whom you're concerned about -- or if you are concerned yourself -- to seek support, which can be by connecting with friends or with professionals."
Wood emphasized that anyone with information regarding the incident should contact University Police at 924-7166 or CrimeStoppers at 977-4000.
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