The family of Ross Truett Ashley the gun man suspected of killing officer Deriek Crouse has made an official apology to his family. The cops family has asked for privacy as they mourn their tragedy and contemplate what could be the reason behind this unprovoked attack.
The apology reads “The Ashley family would like to offer their condolences to the family of Officer Crouse,” they said in a statement to The Associated Press. “Officer Crouse and his family are in their prayers.”
This is the first time that the family has spoken since the deadly shooting on Thursday on Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus.
Investigators are still unsure as to why Ashley a part time student on the Radford campus approached Crouse who did not even know him and shot him at point blank range as the officer was issuing a ticket during a routine traffic inspection.
After fleeing the scene on foot he committed suicide just moments later.
Crouse who was only 39 joined the force in 2007 just six months after there was the shooting rampage that claimed the life of 33 persons. Crouse leaves behind a wife and five children age ranging from 10 to 18.
Reports in the News Leader Newspaper say students on campus have started a program to raise funds as well as collect gifts for the family called Hokies for Crouse.
According to Bethany Darnley, in times like this it is hard to find the correct words, but we are making a difference by showing the world that we are a Hokie Nation that joins together in times of great need.
They surly deserve a Christmas miracle much more than anyone.
The school has planned to arrange a memorial in honour of the slain cop on Monday.
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