Share
Questions still loom over alleged gunman Ross Ashley’s mysterious crime spree.
Friends would “never in a million years” suspect that he allegedly robbed a real estate agency, hijacked a car, shot a Virginia Tech Police officer, and later took is own life.
“I’m completely confused about the whole situation. I couldn’t see anything that even remotely hinted at something like this happening. I lived with him for a year,” said Nick Hagood, a senior at Radford studying computer science and a former roommate of Ashley.
The two lived together last academic year in a university apartment. They were on good terms, but decided not to live together for the current year.
Another former roommate is equally unsure of his motive, but less shocked.
“I’m kind of surprised. I’m also not kind of surprised that he would do this,” said a student at Radford whose name has been changed for privacy purposes. Kramer initially did not initially want to come forward, but felt the need to express how he felt about Ross.
“I just want people to know that he wasn’t what people think he was. I don’t know what he did, or what motivated him, because it was random. Why would your drive all the way from Radford down (to Blacksburg)?" Kramer said. “I can’t see him doing this, but at the same time, I’m also not that surprised that he would. I guess he just had problems and didn’t have anyone to talk to."
In high school, Ashley was an active member of the high school football team. He was a starting running back for the varsity team his last two years at Spotsylvania High School. Although former classmates said he was “not the most outgoing,” students agreed that he was always social and a “a nice guy.”
“We had a class or two, but football was the best way I knew him,” said Steve Hook, a former classmate who was "OK friends” with him. They fell out of touch after graduation when Hook moved to Florida.
“I’d see him in the hall, we’d chat,” he said. “We hung out in study hall when I played football. We got along really well. He was really nice. I never saw him lose his temper. He was always in a pretty good mood.”
After graduation, Ashley attended University of Virginia Wise where he was a freshman senator to the Student Government Association. When he transferred to Radford University, he got along well with his randomly assigned roommate.
“We really didn’t talk that much the first couple of weeks because we were so busy. There really wasn’t a starting point, we just started to talk to each other more and more,” Kramer said.
He noticed he was not very outgoing, but seemed congenial.
A version of this article appeared in the Dec 11 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 23 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
You've changed the name of your primary source, who throws out drug accusations and others that he was unsure of?
Collegiate Times, you've done some good coverage this week, but you've also gotten a lot wrong. Anonymous sources don't have to take responsibility if they exaggerate or lie. If you're going to handle big news like this, please handle it responsibly.
Reply to this Top
As an RU student, I can say that the source that claims this student did drugs is wildly inconsistent with everything I've heard about Ross as a person and as a student. Some students are concerned that the investigators are missing something because it's THAT hard to believe this student would kill someone and take his own life. I think the biggest question out there right now is "why?" Please don't defame his character any further with reports from people who are unwilling to give their full name. What he allegedly did is terrible enough to cope with; let his family and friends grieve with a little dignity, free from sensationalized and unfounded reports of bad behavior.
Reply to this Top
homedog he defamed himself quite enough through his actions.
Top
I don't really like the way the media, including this publication's sources, are portraying loners. Just because he didn't want to hang out with the people interviewed didn't mean he had problems. We're going to get to the point where we assume everyone who keeps to themselves is dangerous. The Columbine kids were portrayed as weird and lonely but if you read actual, reputable sources you find out they had a lot of friends. Ashley's real friends probably won't come forward out of respect so we should remember we're getting biased and one-sided reports of his character.
Reply to this Top
I totally agree with your comments.
Reply to this Top
From Richmond Times Dispatch
There was a dark side about him that was very disturbing," said Shaver, a 25-year-old graduate student who feared that the slightest provocation of the brooding young man, known to compulsively run back and forth in the hallways, somehow would set him off.
"Like when he left his laundry in the dryer and I had to remove it so I could do mine; I actually worried what he would do. So I folded it up neatly out of a sort of fear," he said.
Reply to this Top
I agree as well. This is being completely sensationalized.
Reply to this Top
well said, thank you.
Reply to this Top
well said, thank you.
Reply to this Top
A lot of guys are naturally introverted and keep to themselves at times. Some are even prone to depression during periods of high stress (like college) as are lots of people including myself. But that doesn't mean those guys are going to suddenly turn into a Pyschopath, purchase a weapon and do something tragic even during those days when it seems like the entire world is against you. Why? There's a thing called empathy. Most of us could never kill or harm innocent people we don't know. Even the act of killing itself is hard. I personally have a hard time killing stray insects (except flies) that find their way into my home.
My point is, don't look at it like all quiet introverted guys are dangerous and need help. Some may need help but most probably do not. It are the ones that lack any empathy or any sort of remorse that you have to watch out for. Even very social extroverted guys can often be the hidden Psychopaths that can turn deadly in the flip of a switch.
Just don't look at all naturally quiet guys as creepy is what I'm saying. A lot of guys are just reserved and quiet just as a lot are the opposite.
Reply to this Top
+1
Reply to this Top
very true. in fact, many true psychopaths are EXTROVERTED not reserved -- psychopaths tend to be confident, dominant, smooth talkers who are very good at charming, intimidating, and manipulating others
Reply to this Top
Its disgusting anybody would try to defend this animal. Depression or mental disease is not an excuse for his actions. If he wanted to die he should have killed himself and himself only.
Reply to this Top
It's great how there are people in this country who call other people animals when they don't even know the whole story or any background information. keep it classy man.
Reply to this Top
Now it's a white boy. Now it should be "a nice guy". Come on! Stop embellishing this animal. No diff from that korean psycho
Reply to this Top
Yea id say its a lot of difference he didn't kill 33 kids like the nut job before!
Reply to this Top
32*
and they weren't all "kids" ..they were students and professors
Top
Yea there is a lot of difference he didn't kill 33 kids like the nut job beforeQ
Reply to this Top
32*
and they weren't all "kids"
Top
32*
...and they weren't all "kids"
Top
It might be a little more convincing if he didnt say he snorted a WHOLE bag if there was any truth to that we wouldn't have been reading about shooting we would be reading drug overdos at RU! It is horrible what happened but seems to me there was no reason but he wanted to be remembered if he only had a clue that being remembered like that only cause heart break for his family and hate for public which I'm sure is not how he wanted his family and friends remembering him! So so sad!
Reply to this Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. Jones sabo or even entirely fresh , contemporary guides http://iq-ha.com/vb/showthread.php?p=31198#post31198
Reply to this Top