Colorado woman killed in Wesleyan U. shooting
May 7, 2009 by Tariq under World News
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MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Officials at Wesleyan University say a woman from Colorado was killed on Wednesday in a shooting at a popular bookstore near the campus.
University officials say Johanna Justin-Jinich, a Wesleyan student from Fort Collins, died Wednesday afternoon after being shot several times.
Justin-Jinich was pronounced dead at Middletown Hospital.
The Middletown Press quoted unidentified sources as saying the gunman is the victim’s ex-boyfriend. Middletown Police Lt. Margaret Liseo would not comment on the report. Police say a wig was recovered at the scene.
Police say they’re looking for 29-year-old Stephen Morgan. It’s unclear where he lives.
A Wesleyan spokesman says he has no known connection to the university.
Police have released a surveillance photo of a man they believe is Morgan. It was taken Wednesday at the Broad Street Books store where Justin-Jinich was killed.
Police are asking area residents to stay inside and be “extra vigilant.” They say the gunman should be considered armed and dangerous.
Justin-Jinich would have graduated next year from Wesleyan, a private liberal arts school in central Connecticut with about 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
She was a 2006 graduate of the Westtown School, a private Quaker boarding school in rural southeastern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles west-southwest of Philadelphia. Head of School John Baird said he spent much of Wednesday informing people there that the victim of the shooting was the honor student who participated in tennis and dance in her high school years.
Wesleyan University officials offered counseling Wednesday night.
“This is a devastating loss for Johanna’s family, friends, and for the entire Wesleyan Community,” the university said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to all those who grieve for Johanna, and we hope all can find comfort in the support of friends, teachers and classmates.”
Bill Howes says he was so relieved when the phone rang at his home in Thornton. It was his Brother, Jim, saying he was OK. Jim was inside the Broad Street Bookstore near Wesleyan University Campus in Connecticut when the woman was fatally shot.
Jim Howes said: “I was standing near a bookshelf when I heard what sounded like the pop of firecrackers so it was really odd. Moments later I heard screaming. A girl came rushing out saying, ‘There is someone in the store with a gun.’”
Middleton Police say there were five shell casings found near the woman. Howes says he saw her.
“It was clear it was a terrible injury,” he said. “I just feel awful for her family.”
Jim Howes says people in the bookstore who know the victim say she is from Colorado. It got his attention since he has family here too.
The President of Wesleyan posted this statement online Wednesday afternoon:
It is my sad duty to inform you that a Wesleyan student was fatally shot at the Broad Street Bookstore earlier this afternoon. The parents of the student have already been notified, but we cannot release the student’s name until all of the immediate family have been contacted. A gun was recovered at the scene of the shooting; however the suspect is still at large. We have asked students, faculty and staff to remain indoors while Middletown Police continue to search for suspect(s). All campus events scheduled for today, including Spring Fling, are cancelled.
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