Attempted Murder of Professor at Andrews Seminary

[Woody]

UPDATE ...

In the front page of our paper today ... the headlines were Massacre in Virginia. Just below it is the mug shot and write up about Professor Burrill being attacked. His attacker is Romana Baciu. Under his photo is says that he shouted ... "Repent" as he beat the professor police say.

He told police he was out of his mind when he locked a seminary professor in his office and assaulted him Monday morning.

Baciu also attacked a policeman Milt Agay. Baciu is in the Berrien County Jail to be arraigned today on charges of assault with intent to commit murder. Also ... Asult on a police officer.

Baciu entered Burrill office at 9:15am locked the door and started to punch, choke and beat the professor. Andrews Public Safety officers arrived and after a key had been found to open the door ... handcuffed Baciu in the foyer of the Seminary until police arrived.

Burrill went to a medical center for treatment of injuries to his face and neck, swelling and a bloody mouth.

Baciu told police at least twice that he wanted to KILL Burrill. He also told the policeman that he wanted to KILL the policeman.

[Gail]

*shudder*

[olger]

I read one book written by Russell Burrill and it was pretty good. I am glad they decided to expel him. I would say disfellowshipping him is also in order.

Now Shane. You're just being mean-spirited, short-sighted, and vengeful.

olger

[Woody]

UPDATE ...

This is a report of the Seminary worship yesterday when they explained to the students what happened. Professor Burrill was there in attendance and looked pretty beat up.

Anyway ... The attacker is a Freshman Seminary student. He has an uncle who is an SDA pastor in the US. They are Romanian. The attacker knocked Burrill down to the floor and beat him including choking him while he was on top of Burrill. While choking Burrill he kept saying Repent Repent. This was in reference to the word Revolution.

Professor Burrill has at least two books that include the word Revolution in the title. One is "Revolution in the Church". The other is "Radical Disciples for Revolutionary Churches". Burrill proposes new (or revolutionary) changes in the way we offer programs in our churches . He says the "old Israel" way of church was to be reflective and be a witness for others to come to the church. But the "new Israel" or new way of church is to GO and witness and bring in the people as the great gospel commission would instruct us to do.

Burrill says that we are to use and disciple those who are struggling ... those who doubt. He says that the commission was given to "doubting disciples" and this is the way we need to disciple those who we come in contact with. He is very strong on "discipling".

This is what he means about being "Revolutionary". At least that is my take on it. But for some reason ... this word triggered this student. I wonder if it is a cultural thing? Do any of you know about Romanians and why this word would be so offensive. For some reason this word required Professor Burrill to REPENT in the eyes of the attacker.

[darlene]

This comes from the Southbend Tribune newspaper and Willie Oliver at the NAD sent it to us:

By CAROL DRAEGER

Tribune Staff Writer

BERRIEN SPRINGS — An Andrews University student reportedly told police he tried to kill a seminary professor whom he assaulted in the professor’s office on Monday.

The 28-year-old Berrien Springs student was being held in the Berrien County Jail on Tuesday.

The student faces charges of assault with the intent to murder and assault of a police officer, according to Prosecuting Attorney Arthur Cotter.

Cotter said the student will be arraigned in Berrien County Trial Court in Niles. He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon, but that was changed. A new date has not been set.

Denis Fortin, dean of the Seminary, reportedly addressed students and faculty about the assault Tuesday morning at a regularly scheduled chapel service.

The university offered counseling services for students concerned about the Monday incident at Andrews and the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

Regarding the Andrews incident, police and Andrews University public safety officials said a student walked into the professor’s office about 9:15 a.m. Monday, locked the door behind him and allegedly punched, choked and beat the professor.

The professor yelled for help during the attack, but office staff couldn’t immediately respond because of the locked door, according to Berrien Springs/Oronoko Township police officer Milton Agay.

No weapon was used during the attack and no motive was given, police said.

The professor was treated at an area hospital and returned to the college later Monday afternoon, said Beverly Stout, of the Office of University Relations.

The student was handcuffed by Andrews public safety officers in the foyer of the college’s Seminary Hall on Seminary Drive when Berrien Springs/Oronoko Township police arrived.

Agay said the student had a rapid heart rate and his blood pressure was high.

He reportedly admitted to police that he wanted to kill the professor and that he had used cocaine recently, Agay said in his report.

The student calmed down after being questioned and police unlocked his handcuffs so medical personnel could treat him in the ambulance, Agay said.

But within a few seconds, the student allegedly leaped from the ambulance cot and struck Agay in the chest, saying he wanted to kill the officer, according to a police report.

The student was expelled from the university.

[Dr. Shane]

Student uses cocaine but the professor needs to repent.

[darlene]

Here is another depressing Michigan newspaper account of the event and a picture of the man:

By SARAH McEVILLY

H-P Staff Writer

BERRIEN SPRINGS — An Andrews University student told police he was “out of his mind” when he locked a seminary pro­fessor in his campus office and assaulted him Monday morning, police said.

Adelin Romana Baciu, 28, of Berrien Springs repeatedly shout­ed “Repent!” as he beat professor Russell Burrill inside the school’s seminary building, Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township policeman Milt Agay said. Baciu later allegedly assaulted Agay as the student was being treated in an ambulance.

Baciu is in the Berrien County Jail in St. Joseph and is scheduled to be arraigned today on charges of assault with intent to commit murder and assault on a police officer, Agay said.

The police report said Baciu entered Burrill’s office at 9:15 a.m., locked the door and started to punch, choke and beat the pro­fessor at the Seventh-day Adven­tist university. Burrill yelled for help, but office staff couldn’t reach him because the door was locked. A secretary with a key eventually unlocked the door, and people rushed in to break up the attack, Agay said. Andrews Uni­versity Depart­ment of Public Safety officers had Baciu handcuffed in the foyer of the seminary building before Berrien Springs-Oronoko police arrived. He had gone uncon­scious, so an ambulance was called.

Burrill drove himself to a near­by medical center for treatment of injuries to his face and neck, which included swelling and a bloody mouth, the police report said. Burrill returned to campus Monday afternoon, university media relations said in a state­ment. The university’s Web site lists him as a professor of evan­gelism and church growth.

Agay said that when he arrived at the seminary building Baciu was alert and talkative. He told police he was not all right, and that he was “out of his mind” and “mental.” Once inside the ambu­lance, Baciu told police at least twice he wanted to kill Burrill and asked police to tell the professor he was sorry.

Baciu was calm and was not acting dangerously while inside the ambulance, and police removed his handcuffs so medics could treat him. That’s when Baciu jumped from the stretcher and grabbed Agay, struck him in the chest and shouted that he wanted to kill him, the police report stated. Police restrained Baciu and handcuffed him to the stretcher.

Medics found Baciu’s heart rate and blood pressure to be extreme­ly high, and he was taken to Lake­land Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph for evaluation.

http://heraldpalladium.com/index.php?pSe...rt&index=02

ROMANA BACIU

Shouted “Repent!” as he beat professor, police say

[bevin]

Quote:

Medics found Baciu’s heart rate and blood pressure to be extreme­ly high

Suggests drugs...

/Bevin

[Dr. Shane]

I would say beating and choking a seminary professor while telling him to repent suggests drugs too.

[darlene]

NAD Adventist News email I received today. Much of what has already been posted here is included.

Seminary student assaults professor at Andrews University.

"Student Assaults Professor (April 18, 2007),

At approximately 9:15 am Monday, April 16, Seminary professor Russell Burrill was threatened and assaulted in his office at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary by Seminary student, Adelin Romana Baciu. There was no weapon involved. Office staff heard the struggle and calls for help, went to Burrill's aid and called Public Safety and the police. The student also assaulted a police officer and medic personnel. The student is in police custody and has been dismissed from the university. Burrill sought medical attention, was released, and returned to the classroom Monday afternoon. Baciu is currently receiving medical treatment and awaiting arraignment"

Andrews University professor assaulted

Student faces charges today, was expelled by university.

By Carol Draeger, South Bend Tribune (17 April 2007)

BERRIEN SPRINGS - An Andrews University student reportedly told police he tried to kill a seminary professor whom he assaulted in the professor's office on Monday. The 28-year-old Berrien Springs student was being held in the Berrien County Jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon. The student, who admitted to police that he was on cocaine at the time of the assault, faces potential assault and attempted murder charges, said Berrien Springs/Oronoko Township police officer Milton Agay. Police and Andrews University public safety officials said the student walked into the professor's office about 9:15 a.m. Monday , locked the door behind him and allegedly punched, choked and beat the professor. The professor yelled for help during the attack, but office staff couldn't immediately respond because of the locked door, according to a police report. No weapon was used during the attack, police said. A motive was not given for the assault. The professor was treated at an area hospital, released and returned to the college later Monday afternoon, said Beverly Stout, of the Office of University Relations. The student was handcuffed by Andrews public safety officers in the foyer of the college's Seminary Hall on Seminary Drive when Berrien Springs/Oronoko Township police arrived. The professor had been transported to the hospital by an ambulance before police arrived. Agay said the student had a rapid heart rate and his blood pressure was high. The assailant reportedly admitted to police that he wanted to kill the professor and that he had used cocaine recently, Agay said in his report. The student calmed down after being questioned and police unlocked his handcuffs so medical personnel could treat him in the ambulance, Agay said. But within a few seconds, the student leaped from the ambulance cot and allegedly struck Agay in the chest, saying he wanted to kill the officer, according to a police report. The student was expelled from the university. Denis Fortin, dean of the Seminary, reportedly addressed students and faculty about the assault Tuesday morning at a regularly scheduled chapel service"

[Jeannieb43]

Laz ... you could be very right. I just don't know. Burrill does not toe the line of being as aggressive in Evangelism as some conservatives would promote. So ... this may have been upsetting to this Seminary student. But ... Who knows.

During his evangelistic series last year ... he emphaisized "the Bible and the Bible alone". This may irritate the Ellen White thumpers.

Well, we all know now that the attacks (of Dr. Burrill as well as of the ambulance attendant) were because the attacker was high on cocaine.

[bevin]

Quote:

Quote:

Medics found Baciu’s heart rate and blood pressure to be extreme­ly high

Suggests drugs...

Quote:

because the attacker was high on cocaine

I win - then again, I am a medic... :-)

/Bevin

[Kevin H]

Professor Burrill is after my time and I am not familiar with him nor his theology. I'm glad that he is doing well. Does anyone know what his book taught that upset the student? Thank you

[Taylor]

UPDATE ...

This is a report of the Seminary worship yesterday when they explained to the students what happened. Professor Burrill was there in attendance and looked pretty beat up.

Anyway ... The attacker is a Freshman Seminary student. He has an uncle who is an SDA pastor in the US. They are Romanian. The attacker knocked Burrill down to the floor and beat him including choking him while he was on top of Burrill. While choking Burrill he kept saying Repent Repent. This was in reference to the word Revolution.

Professor Burrill has at least two books that include the word Revolution in the title. One is "Revolution in the Church". The other is "Radical Disciples for Revolutionary Churches". Burrill proposes new (or revolutionary) changes in the way we offer programs in our churches . He says the "old Israel" way of church was to be reflective and be a witness for others to come to the church. But the "new Israel" or new way of church is to GO and witness and bring in the people as the great gospel commission would instruct us to do.

Burrill says that we are to use and disciple those who are struggling ... those who doubt. He says that the commission was given to "doubting disciples" and this is the way we need to disciple those who we come in contact with. He is very strong on "discipling".

This is what he means about being "Revolutionary". At least that is my take on it. But for some reason ... this word triggered this student. I wonder if it is a cultural thing? Do any of you know about Romanians and why this word would be so offensive. For some reason this word required Professor Burrill to REPENT in the eyes of the attacker.

I have no idea. It might have a completely different meaning to this student than to the teacher. However, I also have heard that many Romanian SDA are very rigid in their interpretation of many things. If in addition he was on drugs it didn't help the situation. However, even if he thought the teacher was hell bent he had no right to choke him or do him harm.

[John317]

Professor Burrill is after my time and I am not familiar with him nor his theology. I'm glad that he is doing well. Does anyone know what his book taught that upset the student? Thank you

Burrill has produced some excellent books and evangelistic materials that you can get at the ABC or order directly by calling Seminars Unlimited at 817-641-3643. He offers various sets of wonderful Bible studies on the books of Daniel and Revelation and he's written a book about D & R entitled Hope as well as the best-seller New World Order.

[bevin]

The guy was high on cocaine

Anything and Nothing upsets people in such a state...

http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/cocaine.html

Quote:

irritability, restlessness, and paranoia. This can result in a period of full-blown paranoid psychosis, in which the user loses touch with reality and experiences auditory hallucinations.

/Bevin

[Taylor]

very true Bevin! (Hey we agree! )

[Woody]

Professor Burrill is after my time and I am not familiar with him nor his theology. I'm glad that he is doing well. Does anyone know what his book taught that upset the student? Thank you

Kevin ... you must be very old. Professor Burrill has been around for a very long time. He is just now retiring this summer. I have the book on Revolution that was so offensive to the attacker. It is a great book. Apparently it was just the word "revolution" that bothered him. The reaction may have been cultural or cocaine induced !!!