bad juju at rpi

Last night I was studying for my aeroelasticity test. I mentioned to my roommates that I needed a miracle. One of them suggested praying. After all that always works. God will swoop down and intervene.

Strangely though, someone died at RPI today causing the entire campus to shut down. Everyone was kicked out of classes. Tests were interrupted midpoint; students and faculty were told to go home. My test is postponed until Monday. Not really the kind of miracle I was looking for.

Rumor is that there was a gun involved. Someone else said there was a swat team running through the Low Building. The news says it’s a suspected a homicide or possibly self inflicted. Either way it’s pretty sad. There’s a local news article here.

update

from Shirley Ann Jackson

[...] Based on the results of the police investigation, and the results from the medical examiner, the death of the individual found in the Low Center for Industrial Innovation (CII) has been ruled a suicide. The victim has been identified by the police as Anson J. Tripp, a member of the Rensselaer class of 2000. According to Registrar records, he was not a currently enrolled Rensselaer student.

Earlier, when the circumstances were unclear, we cancelled classes and closed the campus in an abundance of caution. The Troy police investigators have completed a sweep of the Low Center, and other campus buildings have been secured by Rensselaer Public Safety.

[...]

I thank all members of the Rensselaer family for your patience and cooperation in very trying circumstances for all. I know this has been a difficult time for our community, and especially for the family and friends of Anson Tripp. On behalf of the Rensselaer community, I extend our deepest sympathy to them.

One Response to “bad juju at rpi”

  1. Donna Says:

    I just have to comment. Anson was my friend, so I have to just say that. I imagine him replying to you that he was glad he could be of some help to someone by making your test be postponed ;) hehehe. I am sure going to miss knowing he’s around. He was a good guy.