West Virginia University officials expressed sorrow today following the arrest of a student in connection with a fatal stabbing.

“This is a tragedy all around,”said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.”Foremost, for the family and friends of the victim.but also for the University community who lost one of our students in the prime of his lifeand for the loved ones of the accused. It’s truly a sad time and we continue to extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by this tragedy.”

The Morgantown Police Department today (Feb. 23) reported that it had arrested a WVU student, Tyler Craig Baumann, in the Feb. 12 off-campus fatal stabbing of WVU student Ryan Robert Johnston of Washington, Pa.

The University is not in a position to confirm details about Baumann’s educational records due to federal privacy laws.

WVU recognizes that some students may be experiencing a variety of feelings in response to this tragedy, and reminds students that WVU ’s Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or by evening appointment by calling 304-293-4431. Also, a”Grief Group”meets on Wednesday evenings.

Some students are using this tragedywhich police say stemmed from an isolated altercation between two groups of people outside a Beechurst Avenue residenceto advocate nonviolence. Kappa Alpha Fraternity, of which Johnston was a member, is taking up a collection for an organization known as”Fight Against Violence.”

And while this type of an incident is rare in Morgantown , it is no doubt troubling. WVU officials remind students and families that the campus is located in one of the safer small cities in America .

A campus bell ringing for Johnston is planned Friday, Feb. 24, at 11:50 a.m. on WVU ’s Oglebay Plaza , following an 11 a.m. memorial service at St. John’s University Parish.

Further questions should be directed to MPD , 304-284-7522.