Purdue University student killed in residence hall Wednesday morning, roommate in custody

WEST LAFAYETTE (Ind.) — Twenty-year-old Varun Manish Chheda of Indianapolis died early Wednesday inside his first-floor dorm room in McCutcheon Hall, an apparent victim of homicide, according to Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello and Purdue University police.

Costello reported Wednesday afternoon, that multiple blunt-force traumatic injuries were the cause of death.

Ji Min Sha, Chheda's 22-year-old roommate, is the suspect and is currently in custody, Purdue announced at a news conference on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Chheda was a data scientist major.

According to the news conference, Ji Min Sha was known as Jimmy. He was a cyber security major.

Tippecanoe County Jail reported at 10 a.m. that the suspect was not booked into the jail.

“We had him very quickly and there was no threat to campus by this individual any further," Purdue Police Chief Lesley Wiete said about the arrest of the suspect.

He called police Wednesday morning at 12:45 to report the murder. According to reports, he is currently in custody.

Purdue Homicide Investigation: What we know

Wiete didn't comment on the motives for the killing but she did mention that the murder took place in the dorm room where the suspect was located.

Wiete replied, "I can't talk about that right now," when Wiete was asked if a weapon had been used. "I hope that once we have the go ahead and get more information, our teams can release additional information to you for your reports."

Wiete stated that the suspect was already in custody and that there was no danger to campus residents.

Purdue police declined comment on the facts and referred media to Doty. Doty's email indicated that Purdue officers are still gathering information. He said that the suspect is currently in custody and there is no threat to the Purdue community.

Huntington University:Christian college coach created a culture of doping and sex, star runners allege

Trevor Peters, a Purdue communication specialist, stated that students who lived near the crime scene were moved into other rooms and that counselors are available at the university for those who require them.

Chheda is the fourth Tippecanoe County homicide of 2011.

Wednesday's statement was released by Mitch Daniels, President of Purdue.

"This is the most tragic event we can imagine happening on campus. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who were affected by this horrible event."

Daniels stated, "As Purdue’s president, but more so as a parent myself. I assure you that safety and security for our students is the single most important priority on our campus." "Purdue is an extraordinarily safe place on any given day, and compared with cities of Purdue’s population (approximately 60,000 in all), we experience a tiny fraction of violent and property crime that occurs elsewhere.

"Such statistics are no consolation for a day such as this." Each of us is deeply affected by the loss of a loved one on campus or within our Purdue family."

Daniels concluded his official statement by expressing his gratitude to those who took the time to care about each other while he was at Purdue.

In 2014Purdue shooter pleads guilty for murder

Other news Purdue shooter Cody Cousins commits suicide

January 14, 2014 was the last Purdue homicide. Andrew Boldt was killed by Cody Cousins in the Electrical Engineering Building. Cousin pleaded guilty and was sentenced. He then committed suicide in prison in 2014.

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow @RonWilkins2 on Twitter

Reach Noe Padilla at npadilla@jconline.com. Follow @1NoePadilla on Twitter