New developments in the investigation of the on-campus double homicide have reached a standstill, even though police officials are still pursuing the case.
LSU Police Department detective David Heroman said the investigation is active, but there is no general information to be released regarding the investigation of the double homicide at the Edward Gay Apartments.
“The task force still meets every day,” Heroman said.
No arrests have been made regarding the investigation thus far.
Heroman also said no specific methods LSUPD is using to find the suspects can be released. Heroman said LSUPD is urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers.
The first-year residency requirement, approved by the LSU System Board of Supervisors in October, is also still set to be implemented in 2009 despite the homicides.
There has always been opposition regarding the requirement to make full-time students live on campus their first year, but the two homicides in the University’s Edward Gay Apartments in December caused further safety concern.
Although the homicides illustrated that not all student residencies are completely safe, LSU System President John Lombardi said this does not necessarily present an issue of concern regarding the requirement.
“Whenever you have a crime of that sort of horrific nature, you certainly worry about issues of security,” said Lombardi in a Jan. 18 interview with The Daily Reveille. “But it isn’t clear to me that the issues of security for students on campus are worse than the issues of security for students off campus.”
Lombardi also said there has not been any reconsideration of the requirement because the homicides will not directly affect the residency requirement.
“I don’t think [the homicides are] directly related to the residency issue,” Lombardi said.
Lombardi said rather than focusing on the issue of the homicides, the University needs to ensure the residential buildings have the proper lighting, cameras and patrols.
The victims, Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma and Kiran Kumar Allam, were both international Ph.D. students.
Steve Waller, director of Residential Life, said the homicides have not caused a reconsideration of the requirement.
“I’ve got no information that it has impacted the program,” Waller said.
Waller also said he has not seen an “increase in correspondence” from prospective students or their parents about the halls after the homicides.
He said there has been no recent “exodus” or decrease in students living in the apartments since the homicides. Even Edward Gay Apartments are full.
When asked if he supported the residency requirement, Waller said Residential Life is not responsible for implementing University policies.
“From my standpoint, it’s not a Residential Life program; its a University program,” Waller said.
Waller said that the Board approved a “pilot” of the requirement to be implemented in 2009. After two years, the requirement’s permanence is “pending the System president’s approval.”
There was only one dissenting vote when the requirement was approved in October. Student Government President and Board member Cassie Alsfeld voted against the requirement.
“I understand the academic merits, but there are a lot of kinks in the system,” Alsfeld said.
Students who are 21 or older, married, live with a parent or guardian or have medical or financial needs are exempt from the requirement. Only full-time students are required to live on campus, and other compelling circumstances are considered in exemption.
Nicholas Persac, Daily Reveille chief staff writer, contributed to this report.
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Contact Ben Bourgeois at [email protected]