Elon student died after falling at Morrison

Students formed prayer and support groups on Wednesday evening after an Elon University student was found on the ground outside Morrison Residence Hall earlier in the afternoon.

An email was sent to Elon students Wednesday night informing them that the student, Demitri Allison, had died after falling from Morrison. Allison was a junior management major and a wide receiver on Elon’s football team.

“The death of any student is devastating to our community, especially in situations like this, and we want to reach out to friends and acquaintances who knew Demitri,” the email stated. “The loss of a classmate, friend and student reminds us that the life of each person in our community is precious.”

The email said there will be a “Gathering of Friends” today at 4:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium at Elon.

Randy Young, UNC Department of Public Safety spokesperson, said DPS is currently investigating the incident, which occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. Allison was taken to UNC Hospitals.

Student Body President Houston Summers came to the scene at Morrison but only knew information that had been posted on Yik Yak.

“I’m just kind of speechless,” he said.

DPS sent out an Alert Carolina email around 5:45 p.m. informing students of an injury at Morrison. The email did not include specifics and said the investigation was ongoing.

Sophomore Alana Koontz, who lives in Morrison, said she heard screaming from bystanders and ran out from her fourth floor suite to see what was happening.

“Police and EMTs all came really quickly. It was all blocked off,” she said.

A small vigil was held in the game room of Morrison at 10 p.m. Wednesday. Sophomore members of the Christian group Cru at UNC came together to pray.

“Basically it was just a group of people that came together to pray for Demitri and for his family and all the people affected by everything that happened today,” sophomore Salem Hockett said.

A prayer circle was held in the Student and Academic Services Building plaza a few hours after the incident.

First-year Andrew Harvey started the circle by texting his friends and posting about it on Yik Yak. He said he wanted to pray for the student, his family and peace for everyone.

Other members of the circle said it gave them a sense of togetherness and purpose at a time when people feel alone or upset.

“It was really awesome to see some Christians from campus coming together to lift up this kid or man. A sense of togetherness in a situation that can make you feel really alone,” first-year Cassie Hill said.

Senior Stephanie Cassell said she heard about the prayer circle from a friend and wanted to join to pray for the state of the campus in general.

“Just kind of coming together too as a community,” Cassell said.

While some students joined the circle for a sense of togetherness, first-year Matt Williams said the circle had a purpose to really help.

“I think the other part is that we really believe prayer actually does something,” he said. “So it’s really comforting for us come here and be around other people that are feeling the same way we are, but also, if it helps someone on campus, it’s worth it.”

University Editor Jane Wester contributed reporting

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