News

Actions

Public safety notice issued that Morgan Harrington suspect possibly sighted

Posted at 9:46 PM, Sep 16, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-17 00:36:28-04

The Lexington Police Department received a tip about a possible recent sighting of the man who is a suspect in the murder of Morgan Harrington.

The sketch of that man, seen below, is similar to the composite sketch created after a 2005 assault in Fairfax County. Using DNA evidence, police linked the 2005 assault to Harrington’s murder.

Harrington, a 20-year-old Virginia Tech student, disappeared after wandering out of a concert at the John Paul Jones arena on the University of Virginia campus in Oct. 2009.

On September 15, 2014, the Department of Public Safety at Washington and Lee University said they received information from the Lexington Police Department that the male was spotted in Lexington.

According to the information received from Lexington Police, the report they received came several days after the sighting of the individual had occurred and they have not been in contact with any individuals matching that description or sketch.

Washington and Lee University sent a message to students and faculty through its alert system on Tuesday evening, confirmed the university’s spokesperson.

The W&L Department Of Public Safety contact information is (540) 458-8999. The Lexington Police Department can be reached at 911 or (540) 463-9177.

The university included general safety and security tips in the alert, as folows:

  • Avoid walking alone at night. Contact public safety (540-458-8999) for an escort or use traveller (540-458-8900 or traveller.wlu.edu)
  • Always walk in well-lit, highly visible areas. Stay in familiar areas and avoid shortcuts when possible.
  • Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
  • Report suspicious persons or activity to public safety immediately to report an incident.