100s Mourn Va. Student Killed by Hunter

WASHINGTON - Jessica Goode was baptized and confirmed at the old Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in downtown Winchester, Virginia.

On Saturday, nearly 400 people gathered at that church to mourn her passing.

Goode, a 23-year-old senior at Ferrum College, was shot and killed while taking a biology hike in a wooded area near the college. Deer hunter Jason Cloutier has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the incident.

College President Jennifer Braaten, who spoke at the funeral service, announced the establishment of a Jessica Goode Environmental Science Scholarship. Forestry professor Todd Fredericksen referred to Goode as a “keystone” student who “immersed herself” in field trips for biology and ecology courses.

Dr. Fredericksen drew laughter from the gathered family and friends when he reminded them of how Jess was, “unafraid she was to ask tough questions,” of authority figures. He also spoke of the “enormous energy” she brought to the classes he taught.

The church pastor, James Utt, also drew smiles from the crowd when he recalled Jessica Goode’s disinclination to attend confirmation classes as a young teenager. “She was not formal or doctrinal,” recalled the Rev. Utt.

As the service ended, Jessica’s parents gathered a framed picture of their late daughter from the front of the church and an urn in which her ashes will be placed, and tenderly carried them outside.