The Sanctity Of The Atlanta University Center Pierced By A Thug's Bullet - Spelman Student Murdered

This is getting tiring people.
I realize that there is no place on this Earth where one's safety can be assured.
I also note that 99.99% of the students at the AU Center are honest, law abiding citizens. This was done TO them not BY them.

Still this is "yet another day, another heinous murder in Atlanta that makes no damned sense".

AJC: Suspect in Clark Atlanta killing in custody

One person was in custody Thursday in connection with the early morning shooting death of a Spelman College student hit by a stray bullet on the campus of nearby Clark Atlanta University.

The shooting happened about 12:30 a.m. in the 200 block of James P. Brawley Drive, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office.

The victim, Jasmine Lynn, of Kansas City, Mo., was “walking southbound on James P. Brawley when she was struck in the chest by a stray round from a group of individuals involved in a physical altercation on Mitchell Street,” Atlanta police Lt. Keith Meadows said.

An 18-year-old student from Clark Atlanta was also wounded when he was struck in the wrist by a stray bullet, Meadows said.

That student’s name has not been released, but Clark Atlanta officials said he was treated at a local hospital and released.

“At this point, we have not been able to determine the nature of the altercation on Mitchell Street, however, we are questioning a number of witnesses,” Meadows said. “We have not been able to determine whether any of the individuals involved in the physical altercation were actually students from Clark Atlanta or any of the surrounding colleges.”

Meadows said that detectives “don’t have a clear description on the shooter itself. We are working with university officials in an effort to develop security footage.” Meadows said security cameras “probably captured the incident.”

Late Thursday morning, Clark Atlanta issued a statement saying that one person was apprehended near the scene by Atlanta police.

Danays Marquez, a Morris Brown College freshman from Miami, said she heard “at least five [gunshots], back to back.”

“It’s sad, because people are here trying to get education, and you’ve got to constantly be on the lookout because you’re scared somebody’s dying or you’re getting shot yourself,” Marquez said.

According to Lynn’s Myspace page, the 19-year-old sophomore was majoring in psychology and minoring in business.

She was a 2008 graduate of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in Kansas City.

Spelman president Beverly Daniel Tatum issued the following statement Thursday morning:

“Dear students, faculty, staff and parents,

“I am very sorry to inform you of the death of a Spelman student, Jasmine Lynn, class of 2012. Words cannot express the sadness I feel about the tragic loss of Jasmine’s life, the result of senseless violence.

“Jasmine was an innocent bystander struck by gunfire early this morning in the vacinity of the CAU Commons.

“On behalf of the entire Spelman College community, I want to express our deepest sympathy to Jasmine’s family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of grief.

“The Spelman College flag will be flown at half-mast today at Jasmine’s honor. We will share information regarding funeral services as soon as it is available.”

Clark Atlanta officials also issued a statement late Thursday morning, saying:

“A Spelman College student was killed and a Clark Atlanta University (CAU) student sustained a minor wound when they were struck by stray bullets fired during an altercation between two groups on the campus of Clark Atlanta University at approximately 1:00 a.m. today.

“The incident took place on James P. Brawley Drive, a public street that runs through the campus.

“Two groups were involved in the altercation but the student to non-student composition of the groups is unknown at this time.

“Clark Atlanta University police are working closely with the Atlanta Police Department, which is leading the investigation into the incident.

“One individual was apprehended near the scene and is in the custody of Atlanta police.

“The Clark Atlanta University student wounded by gunfire was treated and released from a local hospital.

“The University is offering counseling to students and employees. Campus officials will also hold a series of town hall meetings today for faculty, staff and students to give updates and discuss campus safety.

“President Carlton E. Brown and the Clark Atlanta University family are deeply saddened by the tragic death of the Spelman College student and wish to extend heartfelt condolences to her family.

“CAU police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Atlanta Police Department.”

A Spelman campus meeting was planned for 11 a.m. in Sisters Chapel, and Spelman and Clark Atlanta officials scheduled a press briefing for 11:30 a.m.

Loneia Powell, a Clark Atlanta junior from Columbus, said she was called early Thursday by a friend living near the shooting scene who said had heard the gunshots “loud and clear.”

“She was like, ‘are you all okay,’ and I was like, ‘yeah, we’re all in the bed,” Powell said.

Powell, 20, said it’s not unusual to hear gunshots near the campus.

“Look at the area we’re near,” she said. “It happens all the time.”

Powell said she relies on campus security or Atlanta police for safety, “but walking from MARTA, you don’t see many cops in that area. It’s scary.”

Another Clark Atlanta student, Phyllis Shelman, said Thursday morning that news of the overnight shooting was “very disheartening.”

“We’re at a place to learn,” she said. “We should bring up the issue of safety on campus. More security or something should be done.”

Shelman, a 21-year-old senior, said that she thought security around Atlanta’s college campuses should be an issue in the upcoming mayoral race.

“I think that’s one of the many issues that’s plaguing Atlanta,” she said. “The candidates sometimes forget about college students because they realize we come from different areas and they know that we’re not going to vote” in the mayoral race.

Shelman, whose dorm is adjacent to the shooting scene, said she was about to go to bed when she heard the gunshots. She watched the ensuing events unfold out her dorm window.

“I’m from Washington, D.C., and we have our issues with crime, too, but it was just weird to see it right there in front of you,” she said.