Keene State College Student Shoots Roommate, Kills Self

KEENE, N.H. – A college student shot and wounded his roommate early Friday in their off-campus apartment, then killed himself as police tried to enter his bedroom, authorities said.

Police went to the apartment after getting a call from a man who said he had just been shot and had fled to a friend's home nearby, police Lt. Jay Duguay said.

The officers found the caller's roommate, 21-year-old sophomore Michael Dyke, in his bedroom at the apartment, about a quarter-mile from the Keene State College campus, authorities said.

"Words were exchanged; they attempted to enter the room and Mr. Dyke fired one shot and killed himself," County Attorney Peter Heed said.

The incident appeared to be isolated, with no known motive, Heed and school officials said.

Heed said alcohol might have been involved, and an autopsy and toxicology tests were planned on Dyke's body.

The caller — junior Jason Lillibridge, 20 — was wounded in the buttocks and was hospitalized in fair condition, Duguay said.

Authorities said an unidentified third roommate was present for both shootings and has cooperated with police.

"This was clearly an incident among roommates," Heed said.

College President Helen Giles-Gee said Dyke had no criminal record and no apparent mental health problems.

Dyke graduated in 2004 from Orford's public high school, Rivendell Academy, where flags flew at half-staff Friday.

According to the school's yearbook, Dyke played basketball and soccer. A brief biography said "Mike enjoys partying and hanging out with friends." In a mock will, he wrote: "I, Mike Dyke, do will and bequeath the ability to respect others."

One of Dyke's uncles, Jim Dyke of Orford, said Dyke was one of four children. "He was a good kid," the uncle said.

The shooting occurred on the last day of finals and two days before graduation. Many students had already left campus.

The college said finals and graduation would be held as scheduled. It sent a campuswide e-mail Friday morning and had counselors available.

Keene State, part of the University System of New Hampshire, has 5,200 students and specializes in liberal arts.