In the pre-dawn hours of November 19, 2013, a violent encounter at a Liberty University dormitory in Lynchburg, Virginia, ended the life of 19-year-old male student Joshua Hathaway. The fatal incident unfolded inside the lobby of the Liberty University Residential Annex II, a women's dormitory, where a university security officer was on duty.
Hathaway, a freshman from Texas, had been a distinguished student in high school, graduating as salutatorian with a 4.57 GPA. He was attending Liberty University on a scholarship. However, in the time leading up to his death, some of those who knew him, including his roommate, reported that he had been exhibiting unusual behavior and had mentioned academic and financial difficulties.
On that November morning, Hathaway entered the women's dormitory and approached the security officer, A.S. Mulberry. According to reports, a physical altercation ensued between Hathaway and the officer. During the struggle, shots were fired by the officer, which resulted in Hathaway's death at the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death and also noted minor abrasions and contusions consistent with a physical struggle. A toxicology screen of Hathaway's blood came back clean for alcohol and a dozen common drugs of abuse.
The Lynchburg Police Department immediately began an investigation into the shooting. The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office was also notified and responded to the scene. The investigation included executing search warrants, collecting evidence, and conducting interviews with friends, family, roommates, and instructors of Hathaway. Following a thorough investigation, the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office released a report detailing their findings. The report concluded that the security officer, A.S. Mulberry, acted in self-defense. Consequently, no criminal charges were filed against the officer in connection with the death of Joshua Hathaway.
