Bucknell University student found dead, unrelated to active shooter alert university says
A Bucknell University student died over the weekend on campus, school leaders announced on Sunday.
University President John Bravman identified the student as Christian Samay, 24, of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. Samay's hometown is a borough in Morris County, also a suburb of New York City.
“This is an unspeakable loss for the Bucknell community, and our hearts go out to Christian’s family and friends,” Bravman wrote in a statement released to the college community on Saturday.
The private liberal arts school where Samay attended is in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles north of the state's capital, Harrisburg.
Samay was a senior, Bucknell Director of Media Relations Mike Ferlazzo told USA TODAY Monday.
Just after 1:45 p.m. Saturday, University Department of Public Safety responded to an address where the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity is located and found Samay dead, according to information from Ferlazzo.
Phi Gamma Delta could immediately be reached for comment Monday morning.
The university did not provide additional details about where exactly his body was found or release how they suspect he died.
Nashville Easter shooting: 1 killed, 7 hurt after Nashville coffee shop shooting on Easter, gunman remains at large
Christian Samay's death not related to active shooter report
In his statement, the university president confirmed Samay's death is not related to an active shooter alert the school received less than 24 hours earlier − a report Pennsylvania State Police determined to be a hoax originating out of Virginia.
"I wish to note that his death was unrelated to last night’s active shooter alert and campus lockdown," Bravman wrote in Sunday's statement. "We appreciate your support and respect for the privacy of all involved."
About 7:15 p.m. ET on Friday, the school posted on its Facebook page, Bucknell campus police were responding to reports of an active shooter and that the campus was on lockdown.
Shortly after officials wrote in another post they received an all-clear from public safety and had lifted the lockdown.
How did Christian Samay die?
Bravman said Samay's death did not appear to be suspicious in nature but did not elaborate.
An autopsy set to be conducted by the Union County Coroner's Office will determine Samay's cause and manner of death.
USA TODAY has reached out to state troopers and Union County Coroner Dominick Adamo.
Bucknell University asks for prayer, privacy
The university said it was offering student counseling to anyone affected by the death.
"I call upon all Bucknellians to support each other In this difficult time, and to keep Christian’s family in your prayers," Bravman said.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Student death at Bucknell University: Christian Samay found dead
