CNN.com - Suspect held in 2 slayings at university in Washington

Robbery blamed for Gallaudet killings

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A suspect has been arrested in connection with the slayings of two students at Gallaudet University, police say, with robbery the apparent motive.

Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey said 20-year-old Joseph Mesa, a freshman at the university for the deaf, was charged with two counts of felony murder for the deaths of Benjamin Varner, 19, whose body was found February 3, and Eric Plunkett, 19, who was killed in September.

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Ramsey said the motive for the murders was robbery.

"We have sufficient evidence to charge him with two counts of felony murder," he said Tuesday.

Mesa will be arraigned Wednesday in D.C. Superior Court.

The president of the university said there is a sense of relief that the suspected killer has been caught.

"At the same time, there's a real sense of sadness that the individual who is said to be responsible for this is from our community," said Dr. I. King Jordan.

Both students were killed in Cogswell Hall, which will remain closed for the remainder of the semester, university officials said.

Varner's body was discovered after a fire alarm went off in the building. There was no fire or smoke in the dormitory. Police said he died of multiple stab wounds to the face and body.

Plunkett was beaten to death.

Mesa lived in the dorm next to Cogswell Hall.