Utah track and field standout Lauren McCluskey was shot to death on campus Monday night, university officials said, and the man suspected of killing her was later found dead nearby.
“It is with tremendous sadness that I share the news that Lauren McCluskey, an accomplished student athlete who came to the University of Utah from Pullman, Washington, was killed Monday night on our campus,” university president Ruth Watkins said in a statement. “Lauren was a highly regarded member of the university’s track and field team and an outstanding scholar, a senior majoring in communication.”
According to the university, police received reports of an argument and gunshots outside an on-campus residence hall around 8:20 p.m. local time. Police arrived at the scene and found McCluskey shot to death in a parked car.
Melvin Rowland, 37, who police say had a previous relationship with McCluskey, was later identified as the suspect. He was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in an off-campus church around 1 a.m., police confirmed.
Utah has canceled all classes Tuesday.
