Two Shot Dead At University Of Washington

Police Say Man And Woman Were Killed In Apparent Murder-Suicide

(CBS/AP)  A man and a woman were shot to death in the University of Washington's architecture building Monday in an apparent murder-suicide, university police said.

Officers responding to reports of gunfire found the two and a handgun in an office on the fourth floor of Gould Hall, Assistant University Police Chief Ray Wittmier said.

The female victim, a 25-year-old university employee, had a restraining order against the man, who "almost certainly" shot her and took his own life, Wittmier said.

People who were inside the building at the time of the shooting told Chris Legeros of CBS affiliate KIRO-TV that they heard four or five loud bangs.

The only people involved were the woman and the man, who was in his 40s, Wittmier said. There were no eyewitnesses, he said.

Lance Nguyen, a researcher at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Research, which has offices on the building's fourth floor, said he was a co-worker of the woman and that she had said she was worried about her former boyfriend. The woman, a research specialist, changed her telephone number and e-mailed a photo of the man to friends, asking them to watch out for him, Nguyen said.

"She said it's a psycho from her past," Nguyen said.

King County Superior Court records show the woman was granted a temporary restraining order on March 6, after saying the man had threatened her, her sister and their dogs.

In applying for the order, she wrote that on Jan. 5, the man threw glass candlestick holders at her in a drunken rage, then tackled and punched her. The two were living together at the time.

"I forgave him because he was drunk but now I see that was wrong and he has threatened to hurt me again," she wrote, adding, "I cannot find him but he can find me."

She wrote that he called her in February and threatened suicide "because he couldn't see me. I never called him back."

Wittmier said campus police were not aware of the restraining order against the man. He also said he did not think the man had permission to carry a handgun on campus, where firearms are banned.

Student Meghan Pinch, 27, was in a first-floor classroom when she heard several loud bangs. She said she did not think they were gunshots at first but then police told everyone to evacuate.

"No one wanted to really think it was real," Pinch said as she waited outside to learn if the victims were people she knew.

"We all are pretty close in this building," she said.

Gould Hall, built in 1972, houses three architecture department offices, a dean's office, a library, shop, lab, computer facilities and classrooms, according to the university's Web site.

The building, in an urban neighborhood on the edge of the campus, was closed for the day with classes rescheduled elsewhere on campus.

[kiddo88]

the question is why did he become a psycho in the first place? he obviously had long standing, serious psychiatric issues. he should have had access to help. Prevention is our greatest protection.

[gunownerdan]

"Wittmier said campus police were not aware of the restraining order against the man. He also said he did not think the man had permission to carry a handgun on campus, where firearms are banned."

No law or restraining order has ever stopped a dangerous criminal. When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns. Killers prefer unarmed victims!!
a-human-right.com

[uw_guy]

You have to understand: UWPD are horrible. They crack-down hard on UW students yet act as mere puppets in the face of a real challenge. The UWPD did not and could not prevent this tragedy. Something must be done... we've had rampant amounts of violence in the U-District this year. So much that Mark Emmert, the UW President even warned students of the violence and suggested methods of self-protection. Why? Because the UWPD can't protect you! They're more concerned with underage drinking and misdemeanor drug abuse than the safety and welfare of their community.

Sure the killer was "insane" but what's more insane is that the UWPD did not make any attempt to protect the victim. She knew it was coming, she communicated this effectively and our police department sat by idly. Way to go! Makes me reconsider why we even have emergency phones on campus.

[uw_guy]

You have to understand: UWPD are horrible. They crack-down hard on UW students yet act as mere puppets in the face of a real challenge. The UWPD did not and could not prevent this tragedy. Something must be done... we've had rampant amounts of violence in the U-District this year. So much that Mark Emmert, the UW President even warned students of the violence and suggested methods of self-protection. Why? Because the UWPD can't protect you! They're more concerned with underage drinking and misdemeanor drug abuse than the safety and welfare of their community.

Sure the killer was "insane" but what's more insane is that the UWPD did not make any attempt to protect the victim. She knew it was coming, she communicated this effectively and our police department sat by idly. Way to go! Makes me reconsider why we even have emergency phones on campus.

[noaanhc]

May she rest in peace in heaven.

May her killer rot and burn in hell.

[mdc76082]

the real tragedy is that you have people like fascistusa, who shouldn't even be allowed to use a computer, pencil, pen or paper, for fear that they might harm themselves, but the real, real tragedy is that someday they will actually start believing in the garbage that they post and will end-up taking out on some innocent person. Then I'll have to make a post about what a worthless, screwed-up gene pool he/she came from...blah...blah. You get the point.

[mdc76082]

Another wasted life in this beautiful land at the hands of a of an idiot who is a total waste of space, air and all the amenaties we good citizens have the pleasure of our disposal. What a broken system. Why do our police even have "To Serve & Protect" on their vehicles? What good is a restraining order when upheld, can't even protect you! The system couldn't even "guarantee" the safety of this poor woman and so many more like her. This guy should have been locked-up long ago, but oh no, we couldn't have that. So, as a country we ended up with another "innocent" dead victim of a broken down legal system that can't protect the people for who it was designed to do in the first place! Why do let the fruits & nuts run about this land and do what ever the h_ell they feel like and then, and only then, when it's all over and there's another victim...DEAD...do we say, "looks like the legal system really worked. We gott'em." What a shame. What a waste. The only good from. The B-ASTARD is DEAD!

[hedonist3]

fascistusa - Paranoia strikes deep, doesn't it. Why is it that you cannot grasp what others on this board are telling you? This is NOT the venue for your rant.

My heartfelt sympathy goes to the family of this young woman, and to the family of the man responsible for her death.

[fascistusa]

A joke?

Nope. I'm talking about The Real Problem with our Country today.

Fascism. How it affects Americans.

We have a serious problem with our Country. A problem that is DESTROYING FAMILIES, KILLING THE YOUTH, AND MENTALLY DISTORTING MILLIONS OF MINDS.

A Country built on LIES. DECEIT. GREED. WRATH. PRIDE. SLOTH. ENVY.

A Government ruled by the Elite. Mainstream "News" that LIES and BRAINWASHES to get the Elite what The Elite wants.

This is what you get. The REAL TRAGEDY.

[iceman_1960]

"She said it's a psycho from her past," Nguyen said. King County Superior Court records show the woman was granted a temporary restraining order on March 6, after saying the man had threatened her, her sister and their dogs."

This is frightening.

In countries such as Norway, the government can intervene aggressively to head off and detain "psychos from the past" before they rob anyone of their future.

In America this strong government action would be considered "unConstitutional".

It's a very difficult problem to address in America.

[drew30319-2009]

This is another horrible tragedy. A young woman murdered in the prime of her life. She'd taken out a restraining order but it did her no good. Restraining orders often don't.

My prayers are with her friends and family in this very difficult time. I'm sorry for your loss.

I hope that one day we can affect change to the extent that our loved ones are safer.

Drew Crecente
Director, Jennifer Ann's Group
JenniferAnn.org

fascistusa: Not everything is about you. Spread your "gospel" where it's appropriate but let this poor young woman rest in peace.

[fascistusa]

But we're FREE!!!

How could YOU not be happy in such a wonderful, Free Country?? The Land of Opportunity!!!

Just take your Meds, turn on the Brainwash Box, salute the Oppressive Flag, and drift off into a drug induced Zombie-like Coma.

Oh, wait. That's most Americans living in FASCIST AMERICA.