Purdue Remembers Shooting Victim
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe suspect in the deadly shooting at Purdue University is expected to make a court appearance this afternoon on a preliminary charge of murder. Classes at the West Lafayette campus are cancelled today and counselors are available for members of the Purdue community. The victim, Andrew Boldt, was a student in the College of Engineering. WLFI-TV in West Lafayette reports thousands turned out last night for a candlelight vigil to remember the 21-year old senior. WFLI-TV reports little is known about the alleged shooter, Cody Cousins. Both the suspect and victim were teacher's assistants.
The university is pointing people to its website for more information.
Sources: Purdue University, WLFI, WTHR
January 21, 2014
Statement from Purdue University President Mitch Daniels
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The following statement from Purdue University President Mitch Daniels was delivered during a candlelight vigil on Tuesday (Jan. 21) evening for Andrew F. Boldt, 21, the victim of a campus shooting. Daniels, who was in Colombia on a university-related trip when the shooting occurred, was making arrangements to return to campus immediately.
“Violent crime, whenever and wherever it occurs, shocks our conscience and incites our rage. When it happens in our home, to a family member – and as a Boilermaker Andrew Boldt was family to us – those emotions are more powerful still.
“Our prayers tonight are with Andrew and with his parents, who have suffered a loss beyond calculation or consolation. In our grief, we pause to thank this event's organizers, but equally each person in attendance. Through your caring witness, you are demonstrating your love for the Boldts, and for each other in the very special community we call 'Boilermakers.'”
January 21, 2014
News Release
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A Purdue University student faces a preliminary murder charge in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on campus around noon Tuesday (Jan. 21).
Cody M. Cousins, 23, of Warsaw, Ind., was taken into custody immediately following the shooting, which took place in the basement area of the Electrical Engineering Building. He was taken to the Tippecanoe County Jail, where he is currently being held.
Cousins is accused of fatally shooting Andrew F. Boldt, 21, of West Bend, Wis. Both were listed as seniors in the College of Engineering.
“This was not a typical active shooting,” said Purdue police chief John Cox. “It appears to be an isolated and intentional act and not a random shooting.”
Cox said Cousins allegedly fired four or five shots, and then left the building. He surrendered to police just outside the east side of the Electrical Engineering Building. While Cousins was in custody within minutes, an order for the campus community to remain sheltered in place stayed in effect until about 1:15 p.m.
Tim Sands, Purdue's provost, said the decision was made to cancel classes for the remainder of Tuesday (Jan. 21) and Wednesday (Jan. 22) after he consulted with university President Mitch Daniels, who was in Colombia on a university-related trip. Daniels was making arrangements to cut short the trip and return to West Lafayette immediately.
“He (Daniels) is of course stunned and saddened as we all are by this crime,” Sands said.
Sands also said that an 8 p.m. candlelight vigil scheduled for Tuesday (Jan. 21) would “be the beginning of the healing process, but it will take a while.”
Cox said emergency personnel arrived on the scene within minutes and secured the building. Officers from the Lafayette and West Lafayette police departments and Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department also responded. Other responders included the West Lafayette and Purdue fire departments and the Tippecanoe County Emergency Ambulance Service.
Cox said the Electrical Engineering Building remains closed as officers, including investigators from the Indiana State Police, aid in assessing the crime scene. The West Lafayette Police Department also executed a search warrant at Cousins' off-campus apartment in the 300 block of W. Stadium Ave.
The shooting, which was initially reported at 12:03 p.m., triggered the university's alert system. That system is composed of multiple layers that include text messages, outdoor sirens, mass email and the university's website.
Counselors will be available to talk with students, faculty and staff from 9-10:30 p.m. Tuesday (Jan 21). They will be located in the resident assistants' resource room in the south towers of Cary Quadrangle, the Tarkington West activity room, Shreve Hall Jade Room, and Purdue Village community center. Counseling also is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through the Dean of Students Office, 207 Schleman Hall, phone 765-494-1747, and through Purdue Health Center's counseling and psychological services. The health center also has an after-hours number available from 5-8 p.m., 765-494-1724.
Source: Purdue University
January 21, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Mike Pence issued the following statement on the Purdue University shooting.
“Today's shooting at Purdue University is a tragedy, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the victim and to everyone in the Purdue community. I commend the professionalism of the Purdue University Police Department in apprehending the suspect and bringing the situation to a swift conclusion. The Indiana State Police are on the scene and will continue to assist local law enforcement with the ongoing investigation.”
Source: Office of Indiana Governor Mike Pence