Suicide at KA Wm & Mary

hoosier · #1 04-18-2005, 11:08 PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. Officials at the College of William and Mary are investigating what caused a Virginia Beach sophomore to shoot himself to death in a campus fraternity residence Sunday morning.
The Daily Press, in Newport News, reports it was the second such death at Unit G in less than five weeks. The building is used by the Kappa Alpha fraternity.

It happened around midnight. University spokesman William Walker says Jason Long shot himself in a restroom with a gun purchased from a local Wal-Mart.

Sophomore Adam McCool (ma-COOL) also shot himself in a school restroom with a gun he bought at Wal-Mart. That was March 17th. Long was in Kappa Alpha but McCool was NOT.

Though both deaths are believed to be suicides, university officials say they are looking into whether the men had any issues with other students.

Jill1228 · #2 04-19-2005, 03:02 PM

I grew up in this area. The KA brother is from my home town. What a shame.

Tom Earp · #3 04-19-2005, 05:45 PM

What a sad thing to hear about two young men.

But, it seems that there was a stigma about one being a Member of a Greek Organization.

The peer pressure abounds in todays mores about doing better and be the best. First off, this comes from the parents and secondly it comes from peers in class, sports, Military, the instructors, or The Greek World.

The sad part is that they did not talk to someone first.

ZTABullwinkle · #4 04-19-2005, 07:07 PM

This story is on the news as I type this. It doesn't identify the students, but stated that both suicides took place at the Kappa Alpha fraternity house. They are doing a decent job of keeping the fraternity connection out of it except for that one fact I just stated.

Most of the students they interviewed were identified by their year. According to W&M, there have only been 3 suicides their since 2003. The school has a reputation for being academically tough.

My prayers go out to their families and the students at W&M affected by this tragedy.

Here is a link to the article in the local newspaper:
2nd W&M suicide shocks students

pinkyphimu · #5 04-19-2005, 11:16 PM

wow. this is terrible. my thoughts will be with their families and friends.

mmcat · #6 04-20-2005, 09:05 AM

how sad...
thoughts and prayers with all involved

greeneyedDPhiE · #7 04-20-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZTABullwinkle

Most of the students they interviewed were identified by their year. According to W&M, there have only been 3 suicides their since 2003. The school has a reputation for being academically tough.

Not only has it a reputation for being academically tough, but I believe it has the highest suicide rate for universities and colleges.

My thoughts and prayers for the family and friends.

VTBaZ · #8 04-20-2005, 02:14 PM

I really don't get why the suicide rate is so high @ W&M. they're notorious for it though.

PM_Mama00 · #9 04-20-2005, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hoosier

The Daily Press, in Newport News, reports it was the second such death at Unit G in less than five weeks. The building is used by the Kappa Alpha fraternity.

G g g g G-UNIT! (sorry I couldn't help it)

This story is horrible. Suicide is a horrible thing and it's unfortunate that it happened. I don't understand how TWO could take place within a month of each other? Has anyone done studies on why their suicide rate is high there?

epchick · #10 04-20-2005, 09:57 PM

That is terrible, my prayers go out to their families!!!

ZTABullwinkle · #11 04-20-2005, 10:00 PM

Today the news reported that the local Wal-Mart is reviewing their gun sale policies. Apparently, both gentlemen bought the guns at the same Wal-Mart.

Dorv · #12 04-22-2005, 10:55 PM

All,

While I cannot speak as an Active Brother at Alpha Zeta Kappa Alpha, I will thank you for them anyways...

I'm a grad of William and Mary, where I was a brother at KA, as well as the Resident Assistant for Unit G (as the House is campus housing). I still live in Williamsburg, though its been just enough time that I don't keep up with many still there.

Its been, and continues to be, a really rough time for those guys...

All the well wishes are greatly appreciated.

vafireqt30 · #13 04-24-2005, 02:06 PM

I knew Jason from Law Enforcement Camp. He was a Police Explorer with Virginia Beach. We called him DQ because he would eat more ice cream than food. I am really shocked by the news and cant belive it when i heard it. He did always have a smile on his face. But there had to have been something that was in his life that made him do this. Alot of the kids i taught at camp could not belive the news either saying he never looked upset or depressed and I explained to them alot of people do not show signs on the outside. It is just a shock and I am praying for his family and friends..