Multiple police agencies came to Hathway Avenue on Wednesday following the apparent suicide of a student in the student-filled neighborhood. Cal Poly officials joined police and students there throughout the day.
Sean McMinn and Benjy Egel
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One Cal Poly student died from what police are considering a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head near Cal Poly on Wednesday, drawing heavy law enforcement presence and university officials to a popular student housing area near campus.
Police responded to a call reporting the sound of a gun firing in the 200 block of Hathway Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, Sgt. Fred Mickel of the San Luis Obispo Police Department said. Officers found one male student dead in the house who sustained a gunshot wound to the head while at least one roommate was home, Mickel said.
Mickel said there was no threat to the surrounding area after the shooting, though initially declined to call the incident a suicide. Later Wednesday, San Luis Obispo Police Lt. Bill Proll said officers are treating the shooting as an “apparent suicide,” though he declined to discuss details of the case because of its sensitivity.
“Because of the nature of the ongoing investigation — the coroner’s office is now investigating — it’s too early to say what’s going on,” Mickel said.
Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier said the university is working with San Luis Obispo police, who are handling the case.
The Cal Poly Office of Student Affairs was aware Wednesday of the student death, but Lazier said it was too early to begin arranging specific services for friends of the victim.
The university will work with the victim’s family to decide if a memorial should take place on campus, Lazier said.
In addition to police, Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Humphrey and Associated Students, Inc. President Jason Colombini were also present. Colombini said he was there to “help the members who are grieving,” several of whom were wearing fraternity T-shirts.