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An arrest is expected sometime today in the death of an Appalachian State University student from Matthews who was killed early Sunday at an off-campus party in Boone, police say.
A spokesman for the Boone police said investigators have been working on the case today and are expecting to announce an arrest in the death of Jay Derby, 20, a 2007 graduate of Butler High School who was studying business, according to his father Mike Derby.
Police have not released details of the shooting, but they said Sunday that they considered it to be accidental. WCNC-TV reports a young woman identifying herself as Derby’s girlfriend said the shooting was an accident. Another friend told the station Derby’s best friend was holding the gun.
Neighbors at the three-story apartment building didn’t even realize something had happened until they saw police outside in the parking lot.
When Mike Derby last talked to his son, Jay Derby was planning his trip home for Thanksgiving break.
"He was doing well in school, his grades were good, he was looking forward to coming home," Mike Derby said. His son was one credit hour from being a junior and planned to graduate in 2011.
At about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, two Matthews police officers knocked on Mike and Susan Derbys' door.
"They said that Jay was shot while at a party," Mike Derby said. "It was a tragic accident."
The shooting was reported about 12:30 a.m. at the App South apartment complex on Faculty Street. The off-campus complex caters to students, according to its Web site.
"We thought it sounded like bowling upstairs," Melissa Vega, who lives in the apartment below, told Observer news partner WCNC.
Paramedics found Derby dead when they arrived.
Police have turned the case over to the Watauga County district attorney to decide if charges are warranted, according to WCNC reports.
Instead of preparing to spend Thanksgiving with his son, Mike Derby is planning his funeral.
When Jay Derby was young, Mike Derby coached him on baseball teams and taught him saltwater fishing, which he said the pair loved doing together.
Mike Derby said his son enjoyed snowboarding and wakeboarding, but was happy doing almost anything. "He was one of those people who loves life and loves doing things with people," Mike Derby said.
Appalachian student Matthew Diggs knew Derby from their days together at Butler. "I was stunned" upon learning of the shooting, Diggs told WCNC. "He was one of the biggest-hearted guys. He could bring a smile to your face just off a stupid joke."
Derby fell in love with Appalachian somewhat unexpectedly. "He intended to go there for a few semesters, raise his grades and transfer to UNC," Mike Derby said.
But Derby soon realized Appalachian was where he wanted to stay. "He loved the mountains and loved App State," Mike Derby said. "He said, 'This is where I want to graduate from.'"
After school, Derby wanted to start a business. Said Mike Derby: "He wasn't sure what type of business, but he knew he wanted to... be his own man."
WCNC-TV contributed.
