Former Richmond student accused of murder in Maryland

A former University of Richmond student has been accused of first-degree murder in his hometown of Gaithersburg, Md.

Claude Alexander Allen III was a junior at Richmond when he withdrew in October 2012, said Brian Eckert, director of Richmond media relations.* Alhough he was not a student this past semester, Allen still lived in Richmond, according to several Richmond students.

Allen was known by many around campus by his nickname, "Lunch Box."

Shortly after midnight on Friday, May 24, Allen called Montgomery County police reporting that a man had tried to break into his home and that he had killed the suspect, according to a report by WUSA 9 News.

"When we arrived, he was waiting for us," said Capt. Jim Daly, a spokesman for the Montgomery police department, according to a Washington Post article.

Allen led police officers to the body in a wooded area behind his home, police said.

After a preliminary investigation, police concluded that there was no burglary and that Allen and the victim, 25-year-old Michael Phillip Harvey, knew each other. Police said a hatchet was used in the crime.

The police also said there was a third person in the house during the incident, and that they were investigating whether he had further information.

Allen is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 on Tuesday, May 28th, in Montgomery County.

Updates will continue as more details surface.

* Please note the correction: In alignment with FERPA regulations, no information regarding Allen's private, academic information was released to The Collegian by University of Richmond's school officials.

Contact staff writer Kylie McKenna at kylie.mckenna@richmond.edu