Update: The State Bureau of Investigation says 29-year-old Jeremy Paul Flinchum is the Archdale police officer who shot and killed UNC student Courtland Smith.
Spokewoman Jennifer Canada declined to give specifics, but said the SBI is completing an investigation to be delivered to a local district attorney for guidance.
“Most departments, if there’s an incident where an officer fires a service weapon, they’ll ask the SBI to come in and investigate,” she said.
The UNC’s community is waiting for answers after Smith, president of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, was shot to death early Sunday morning.
Smith, a junior biology major from Texas, called police to indicate he was suicidal, according to a statement from Archdale police, which identifies him only as “a white male in his early twenty’s.”
He was pronounced dead at High Point Regional Hospital at 6 a.m. Sunday.
“Once the vehicle came to a stop, a confrontation ensued and an Archdale Police Officer shot the subject,” the statement reads.
Archdale police have declined comment beyond the statement.
UNC officials also are mum save for a letter to students from Chancellor Holden Thorp:
August 24, 2009
Dear Carolina students,
We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of our student Courtland
Smith, a junior from Houston, Texas. There is nothing worse than losing
a young person. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends
as they grieve and cope with such a great loss.
For anyone who wants to talk about this, we have counselors available
for you. Today, counselors are in the Upendo Lounge in the Student
Academic Services Building through 4 p.m. We also have walk-in hours in
Counseling and Wellness Services every day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You
can also feel free at any time to contact the Office of the Dean of
Students at 919-966-4042.
If you need help, please know that our counselors are here for you.
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp
