(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) An Oskaloosa man is accused of killing a William Penn University student-athlete..
Twenty-three-year-old Luke VanHemert was taken into custody this (Wednesday) morning. He is charged with 2nd Degree Murder, and is in the Mahaska County Jail. Bond has been set at $500,000 cash only.
VanHemert is accused of stabbing 22-year-old Marquis Todd in the chest during an argument March 1st. Todd was found injured at a convenience store, and died at the hospital.
Todd played basketball for William Penn University. He was from the Chicago area.
William Penn University released a statement today:
We have received word this morning that a warrant was issued and an arrest has been made with charges of Second Degree Murder brought in the death of Marquis Todd. The William Penn family is grateful the investigation has concluded. We owe thanks to many people and organizations, including county, state and local attorneys and police for their extensive effort and communication to the extent possible with a difficult situation. We also have a debt of gratitude to those who helped support our students, parents, faculty, staff, and whole campus community during this difficult time, including Crisis Intervention Services. We are so very thankful for the outpouring support from the Oskaloosa community.
While we will follow the trial process with interest, going forward, our attention will be focused on our students, Marquis’ family, and our campus community. This was a crucial step in allowing all of us to move forward through the healing process. Again, thank you does not express the amount of gratitude we have toward all of those who have supported us at William Penn University during this time.
William Penn University basketball player victim of stabbing