
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, November 17, 1995                   TAG: 9511170074
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

STUDENT KILLS SELF IN MED SCHOOL LOBBY

A first-year medical student fatally shot himself while in the lobby of a classroom building, University of Virginia officials said.

``I heard a noise that sounded like a pop, like a heavy book being dropped on the floor,'' said a nurse who declined to give her name. ``I didn't think anything of it. I didn't know it was a gunshot.''

John Leland Duke, 26, of McLean, died about 4:40 p.m. Wednesday after being taken to the emergency room, UVa hospital spokeswoman Marguerite Beck said. Officials said doctors teaching in a nearby classroom tended to the man after the shooting.

Duke graduated from Virginia Tech in May with a degree in geography, Tech spokesman David Nutter confirmed.

UVa Police Chief Mike Sheffield said a medical student called 911 about 3:30 p.m. to report the shooting.

Sheffield said he did not know whether many people witnessed the shooting, though it happened in a central place in the medical school. He said a student sitting in the lobby ``heard the shot, looked over and saw the individual.''

A .32-caliber pistol was recovered from the scene, Sheffield said.

UVa officials expressed their sympathy.

``It's just a real tragedy - beyond description. I'm just very, very sad,'' said Dr. Robert M. Carey, dean of the School of Medicine.

Medical school classes were canceled Thursday, and round-the clock counseling was available for students and faculty.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB