Published: 5:09 PM, 11/23/2009

Last updated: 5:14 PM, 11/23/2009

By: Melanie Marshall

The Boone Police Department announced the arrest of Galen Elijah "Eli" Ruble, 20, of Boone, in the shooting death of Appalachian State University student Jay Franklin Derby.

Officers responded to an apartment in the App South complex on Faculty Street early Sunday morning in reference to a gunshot victim.

According to BPD, Derby was in attendance at a party at Ruble's residence. During the course of the evening, Ruble brought out a black powder primitive single-shot rifle. He attempted to discharge a percussion cap in Derby's direction to frighten those in attendance.

Derby, 20, was fatally wounded. He was a sophomore at ASU majoring in business education. Derby and Ruble were known to be good friends, according to Det. Glen Kornhauser.

Ruble was charged by the Watauga County District Attorney's Office of felony involuntary manslaughter in the negligent death. He is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec. 15 in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

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