WEST LAFAYETTE – Students at Purdue University attended class on Wednesday, but the mood on campus was somber. It followed a violent night where allegedly the roommate of 20 year old engineering student Varun Chheda stabbed him to death. Students who lived in the dorm where it happened said they were shocked such a violent act could happen on campus where they feel safe.
"It never really crossed my mind that something like this would happen,” Nils Haugan, who lives in McCutcheon Hall where the homicide happened, said. “I mean you hear about shootings, but like a stabbing, that's crazy. "
The university didn't notify students until several hours after the crime occurred, something some feel wasn’t ok.
"I don't want to assume, but they didn't take the necessary measures I believe in my opinion to address this kind of circumstance that happened last night, “ Diego Asturias who lives at McCutcheon Hall, said.
The homicide has some students on edge and feeling a lack of safety.
"I feel, I felt very safe in my residence hall,” Alejandro Perdomo, a McCutcheon Hall resident, said. “We never locked our doors, but now with this we are definitely going to sleep with our doors locked."
Even though many students didn’t know Chheda personally, they say it still feels like they lost someone special.
"Even if I don't know the person, I don't know like fully what happened, because it's such a family atmosphere and we are all Boilermakers. it just really hurts when you hear something like this," Andrew Hainer, another resident of McCutcheon Hall, said.
Chheda was a 2020 graduate of Park Tudor in Indianapolis.
-
Boone County officials seek resident input on comprehensive plan
Residents armed with sticky notes, pens and ideas gathered for a Boone County Comprehensive Plan workshop to help map the county’s future and shape growth for the next 20 years.
Buy now, pay later can be tempting — but experts warn of financial risks
A recent survey by LegalShield found that three in four Americans are using buy now, pay later services.
Hobnob Corner Restaurant in Brown County closing after more than 40 years
The Hobnob Corner Restaurant in Nashville stayed the same, even as the leaves in Brown County changed every fall. However, the restaurant will serve its last meals once autumn is over.
Greenfield man meets pilot who delivered his lifesaving heart transplant
A Greenfield man who dedicated part of his life to saving others is now alive because of a lifesaving mission and the pilot and team behind it all.
