In the quiet town of Ellensburg, Washington, on the evening of October 18, 2018, a tragic event unfolded that would claim the lives of two Central Washington University ROTC cadets. Michael Demchuck, a 22-year-old White male, was fatally shot in what authorities would later describe as a heartbreaking accident. The incident occurred in a neighborhood just north of the university campus, sending a shockwave through the close-knit community.
According to the Ellensburg Police Department, Demchuck was unintentionally shot by his close friend, 21-year-old Austin McKenzie. The initial investigation suggested that after the accidental shooting of Demchuck, a distraught McKenzie then turned the firearm on himself, resulting in his own death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both young men were pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered from gunshot wounds to the head.
In the aftermath of the devastating event, law enforcement officials quickly determined that no foul play was suspected. The Ellensburg Police Department stated that they were not seeking any suspects, as they believed all individuals involved in the incident had been identified. The community, including students and faculty at Central Washington University, mourned the loss of the two cadets, who were remembered as well-known and active members of the campus community. Candlelight vigils were held to honor the memories of both Michael Demchuck and Austin McKenzie, as friends and loved ones gathered to support one another through the immense grief of their sudden and tragic passing.
