App State Student Killed in Accidental Shooting

A 19-year-old Appalachian State student is dead after being shot inside an apartment near campus. Police are not releasing many details in Jay Derby’s death, but they have said the shooting was an accident.

The shooting happened in an apartment on the second floor of the Appalachian South Apartments on Faculty Street at around 12:30 Sunday morning. “I walked out here and I saw there were police cars and vehicles and several people who seemed to be shaken up,” said Thomas Allen, who lives a few doors down from where the shooting happened.

At the time, most neighbors had no idea what happened. “I live in the apartment below and we just heard thudding,” said Melissa Vega. “I knew something had happened, you can just tell by the way the paramedics were acting,” said Timothy McHugh.

Boone Police say seven people were in the apartment when someone accidentally fired a shot striking and killing Jay Derby.

Derby is a graduate of Butler High School, and his family lives in Matthews. “Some of the kids from Appalachian State have called and said – I just found out I lost my best friend,” said Derby’s uncle Gary Boyd. “He was a wonderful kid, and he’ll be missed by the world. He’ll be missed at Appalachian State and by the kids at Butler,” he said.

Boone police are continuing their investigation. Investigators will continue to talk with witnesses. The District Attorney will decide if any charges will be filed.