Student Killed in Liberty University Dorm Shooting

Liberty University has issued a brief statement in the wake of a dorm shooting that occurred at 4:00 am on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a student.

“We have received reports that a Liberty University Emergency Services Officer was attacked by a male student in the lobby of a women’s-only dorm early this morning,” the statement reads. “The student was shot and killed and the officer was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital for treatment. The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating the matter and Liberty University is cooperating.”

The student has since been identified as Joshua Hathaway, 19, of Lubbock, Texas, a freshman at Liberty University. Questions remain about the motivation for his attack on a Liberty University security guard. Reports state that Hathaway attacked the officer with a sledgehammer before the officer fired two shots, at least one of which hit and killed the student.

Hathaway was a transfer student with a GPA of 3.9 and no disciplinary record. A roommate reportedly said that he had been struggling with some financial problems recently.

“Our deepest concerns are with the people affected, with the students here, and the family of the young man who was shot,” Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. said. “Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and also with the officer who was involved in the shooting.”