2 university students dead in accidental shooting, suicide

ELLENSBURG – Two Central Washington University students have died in what police say was an accidental shooting followed by a suicide.

Ellensburg Police spokesman Capt. Dan Hansberry said Friday that officers responded at about 8:50 p.m. Thursday to a report of two gunshot victims at a house in Ellensburg.

He says initial investigation shows a 21-year-old man accidentally fatally shot a 22-year-old man. Hansberry said the 21-year-old student then immediately shot himself. It wasn’t clear what led up to the shooting. Hansberry said the two men were the only ones involved in the incident.

Hansberry said the men were friends who were enrolled in Central Washington University through military Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs. Their names haven’t been released.

Central Washington University President James Gaudino offered condolences and support services to students in an email Friday.