Korean International Student Accused of Killing US Dorm Roommate Claims "I Was Threatened"

Local Police: "Accidental Crime, Not Self-Defense"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Sung-wook] A Korean international student A (22), who was arrested on charges of killing his roommate at Purdue University dormitory in the United States, claimed in court that he was "threatened."

A (22), who was arrested on charges of killing a roommate in a dormitory at Purdue University in the United States, claimed "I was threatened" when asked about the motive for the murder. The photo shows McCutcheon Hall, a dormitory at Purdue University. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 7th (local time), according to WTHR, a local broadcast in Indiana, A appeared at a hearing held at an Indiana court and responded to questions from local reporters about the motive for the killing by saying so. He also apologized to the victim's family, saying, "I am truly sorry."

However, A did not disclose the basis for his claim that he was threatened. Leslie Witt, chief of the Purdue Police Department in charge of the case, said, "It appears to be an accidental crime rather than self-defense."

Earlier, on the 5th (local time), Barun Manish Cheda (20) was found dead in McCutcheon Hall, one of the dormitories on Purdue University's West Lafayette campus. A directly reported Cheda's death to 911 at the time and admitted that the weapon found at the scene was his. He was then identified as a suspect in the murder and arrested by the police.

A and Cheda were known to have shared a double dorm room. According to foreign media, Korean international student A is a junior majoring in cybersecurity, and Cheda was a senior majoring in data science.

After the incident, Mitch Daniels, president of Purdue University, said, "The worst tragedy has occurred," and added, "As president and as a parent, I assure you that the safety and security of our students is our university's top priority." He also expressed condolences to the bereaved family and everyone affected by the incident and said, "We will provide mental health counseling to students."

A is scheduled to be formally indicted on the 13th and will be detained at Tippecanoe County Jail until the indictment.