Liberty University still recovering from the shocking shooting and death of Joshua Hathaway, killed by security guard
Liberty University is still dealing with the fall out from the shooting death of Joshua Hathaway after he attacked a campus security guard.
Joshua Hathaway
“Joshua Hathaway, a Liberty University student, told the security officer he had been robbed and someone stole his vehicle,” a search warrant written by city police Detective Collin Byrne and filed in Lynchburg Circuit Court stated. “The security officer then began to investigate Hathaway’s complaint but Hathaway then pulled out a hammer from his clothing and assaulted the officer.”
The unidentified security officer fired two shots, striking Hathaway at least once, the newspaper said. The officer was taken to a hospital for treatment and later released, Gearhart said.
Byrne said in the affidavit Hathaway’s roommate said Hathaway “had been displaying unusual behavior recently.”
Hathaway’s car was found in a nearby lot.
Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr. called the event “traumatic” during a news conference. He said the university was doing everything in its power to cooperate with the Lynchburg Police Department’s investigation.
“We’re providing professional counseling services to our students,” a somber-looking Falwell also said. “We are deeply saddened by what has happened. It’s impacted our entire community in ways that we are just beginning to understand.”
The death of the teen, age 19, has rocked the campus and Falwell encouraged students to seek counseling, whether it concerned struggles related to Hathaway’s shooting or other issues.
“No one knows what was going through Joshua’s head,” said Falwell, according to a report in the Lynchburg News & Advance. “I urge you to get help. Don’t wait ’til it boils over.”
Pull a Hammer on an Officer!!!!!!!!This is what can and will happen!!!!!!!!No Winners!!!!!!!!RIP
It seems quite possible that Josh was suffering from the onset of mental illness – extremely common at his age. As a Liberty parent, I can say that the Liberty family is heartbroken for the Hathaway family, and praying for the officer who is without question suffering also.