Gun-wielding man shot by police has died, was a student

University of California, Berkeley, officials announced today (Wednesday, Nov. 16) that the man who wielded a gun at the Haas School of Business and was shot by university police yesterday was a transfer student. Christopher Nathen Elliot Travis, 32, who was an undergraduate, died last night after being transported to Highland Hospital.

“This is one of the most difficult times we have had as a community,” Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said this morning at a gathering with the grief-stricken Haas School community. “I want to thank the Haas staff for their alertness in this issue. It was just extraordinary. This sets an example for responsibility and alertness. I also want to thank the police for their very quick response.”

The shooting occurred at the Haas School about 2:25 p.m. Tuesday, according to police. University police were responding to a 911 call from a staff member who had noticed the suspect with a gun in his backpack. UC Berkeley police found Travis in a computer lab at the school, and one of the four responding officers shot him after he pointed his gun at police, who had ordered him several times to drop the weapon. Other officers made sure that witnesses and bystanders were not in the line of fire and were removed from the immediate area.

Birgeneau also expressed gratitude that no one else was harmed during the incident.

“Our heart goes out to the family of this young man,” he told the group of more than 200 faculty, students and staff.

Campus counselors from University Health Services were dispatched yesterday to the Haas School to offer their services and will continue their presence there today.

Campus police have interviewed 17 witnesses at this point in the ongoing investigation and will continue with further interviews.