The fatal shooting of UC Berkeley student Christopher Travis was likely to have been “suicide by police”, according to Richard Lyons, dean of the Haas School of Business, where the shooting took place on November 15.
In an email to students, faculty and staff today, Lyons wrote that the UC Police Department had nearly concluded its investigation of the incident. “While we will likely never know Chris’s intent, [the police department’s] leading theory, based on his history of recent and past episodes, seems to be suicide by police officer – that is, he intentionally put in motion the confrontation with authorities that led to his death,” Lyons wrote in the email.
Travis was shot by a UCPD officer when he was brandishing a gun in the computer lab at the Haas School. He died in hospital from the gunshot wounds. It was the first shooting on the Cal campus in over 20 years.
Lyons’ community email also said that emergency communications and procedures at the business school were being looked into. “In reviewing the incident, it’s clear that many people were unsure of what to do, and directives from authorities were sometimes conflicting or unclear,” he wrote.
The business school is also looking into modifying its security “to find the right balance of openness and safety”.
Related:
Man shot at Cal’s Haas School identified, died in hospital [11.16.11]
Shaken Cal Chancellor recalls Kent State, Virgina Tech [11.15.11]
Breaking: Shooting at Cal’s Haas School of Business [11.15.11]
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