Police continue to investigate a fatal shooting at Mid-Atlantic

Topic: School Shooting

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The man charged with killing a fellow student at Mid-Atlantic Christian University is claiming self defense, according to search warrants.

Christopher David Amyx surrendered and was taken into custody around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on a first-degree murder charge, Elizabeth City Police said.

Authorities say Jonathan Schipper of Havelock, NC and Amyx apparently got into an argument in a second-floor dorm room at Pearl A. Pressley on Sunday.

A memorial service for Schipper is set for tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Blanton Center on the campus. The service is for the community, churches, Mid-Atlantic students, and the entire Mid-Atlantic family. It is a call to prayer for the families most deeply affected by the tragedy of Oct. 3, for the Mid-Atlantic family, and for peace rather than violence.

Classes for Friday have been cancelled, the university said.

"An autopsy was performed at ECU in Pitt County. The pathologist that performed the autopsy did release a verbal statement that the manner of death was homicide and the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head," Sharon Artis, Chief Medical Examiner's Office told WVEC.com.

The search warrant states authorities found prescription painkillers and drugs to treat bi-polar disorder, three handguns, ammunition, a bulletproof vest and holsters.

Amyx, 23, has been a part-time auxiliary police officer with the Town of Pinetops, North Carolina. since May 1.

About 50 people were inside the dorm when gunfire broke out around 1:00 p.m. Amyx was at the scene when police arrived and turned himself in for questioning, police stated. He was released after several hours.

"He appeared to be very upset as anyone would be in a shooting such as that," said Det. Jerry Boyce with the Elizabeth City Police Dept. during a news conference earlier this week.

Police say the gun found in the room was a semi-automatic handgun and that Amyx has confirmed it's his gun.

He said Amyx got another student across the hall to call for help moments after the shooting.

Amyx lives on the same hall and no one else was in the room at the time, Boyce confirmed.

Boyce said he couldn't comment on what the argument was about or the circumstances that led to Schipper's death.

"It's a challenging case because we have to develop the victim's side of the case," he stated.

Det. Boyce said 100+ students were being intereviewed by police.

"We could use information from anyone about this case," Boyce said, and asked people to call Crime Line at 1-252-335-5555.

Classes resumed Tuesday at Mid-Atlantic Christian University and flags were flying at half staff Tuesday.

Schipper was a sophomore in the Youth and Family Studies program. While a quiet individual, he was well liked by his fellow students and had a passion for serving the Kingdom, the university said in a release Monday.

"This is a Godly place that had a very ungodly thing happen," said Mid-Atlantic Christian University President Clay Perkins.

"Our hearts go out to the families," said Perkins, who was first to call the father of the student killed.

"It was a tender moment between two dads. I offered love and support," he added.

Perkins called Mid-Atlantic Christian a "big family." There are just 180 students, most of them studying the teachings of the bible. What happened Sunday was a lesson never expected.

"As a Christian individual, we look at the world and things we can't explain. We have to have hope in eternity and a better place," Green said.

Having faith is required to attend the university. Teachers must pledge their belief in Jesus, the scriptures and miracles.

10/04/2010

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