University of Utah student killed on campus; suspected gunman found dead inside church

SALT LAKE CITY -- (KSTU) -- A female University of Utah student was shot and killed on campus Monday evening, and the suspected gunman was later found dead inside a church with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Lauren McCluskey of Pullman, Washington was found dead in a parking lot outside of the south tower of the Medical Plaza, a residential hall on campus, after police responded to a report of a possible abduction around 8:20 p.m.

The suspected gunman, 37-year-old Melvin Rowland, was found dead inside the Trinity AME Church, 239 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Police said Rowland died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to Lt. Brian Wahlin with the University of Utah Police Department, the woman had a dispute with Rowland, with whom she had a prior relationship, before he shot and killed her.

McCluskey's family issued a statement Tuesday, saying Rowland had lied to their daughter about his age and criminal history and that she ended the relationship earlier this month after finding out the truth.

The family states McCluskey sought the help of police to get her car back from Rowland on October 10, the day after she ended their relationship, and subsequently reported his continued harassment to police.

Records indicate Rowland is a registered sex offender and was convicted for attempted forcible sex abuse in 2014.