Yet again, the Virginia Tech community suffers the trauma of untimely deaths:
To the University Community,
It is with great sorrow that I write to you about an off-campus tragedy
involving Virginia Tech students. The Montgomery County Sheriff has
confirmed that two Virginia Tech students were the victims of a
homicide sometime last night. They were found early this morning by a
passerby near the Caldwell Fields area of northern Montgomery County, a
popular day use area within the Jefferson Forest, about 12-15 miles
from campus. Both were victims of gunshot wounds.
The Montgomery County Sheriff has notified families and subsequently
announced the victims as David Metzler, 19, a sophomore in industrial
and systems engineering from Lynchburg and Heidi Childs, 18, a
sophomore in biochemistry from Forest, Virginia. The sheriff's office
continues its investigation and search for a suspect. Any who feels
that they might have knowledge related to this should contact the
sheriff at 540-382-2951.
The dean of student's office will assist the families where
appropriate. We have no knowledge at this time of memorials or a
memorial services, but will post information once approved by the
families on the university website.
Trauma like this is deeply painful to us all. Once again, this
community is visited by senseless violence and tragedy upon aspiring
young minds from our campus. I know that many of you likely have
complex feelings about now. How can this happen in this area, at this
time, to this community? I urge you to counsel your colleagues and
fellow students and to seek help if at all necessary. Individuals or
groups with special needs are encouraged to contact the Cook Counseling
Center at 231-6557.
We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and
will assist in any way possible. No amount of words can counteract
their grief, but know that the university administration and everyone
within this community intensely feels this pain.
Charles Steger, President