LAFAYETTE, IN–
A 22-year-old Purdue University student has been taken into custody in connection with the murder of his roommate.
Gji Min Sha, an international student from Korea, was arrested on Wednesday for the death of 20-year-old Varun Manish Chheda.
Authorities say they learned of the incident after the suspect called them around 12:44 a.m. Wednesday, to report that Chheda was dead and that his body was in their dorm room at McCutcheon Hall.
While many questions remain at this time, Tippecanoe County Law Enforcement did report that “One roommate has attacked another with a knife.”
“I believe this was unprovoked and senseless,” Purdue University Chief of Police Lesley Weite said at a news conference Wednesday. “Our hearts go out to the victim and his family and friends. I can’t even imagine what his family is going through.”
Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello reported that Chheda died from “multiple sharp-force traumatic injuries.”
It is believed that he was awake when he was killed.
Formal charges against Sha are expected sometime Thursday.