2008 Woodie Awards
Friedson to honor slain UNC student body president
Marissa Lang
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: News
SGA President Andrew Friedson will likely attend an event to commemorate the slain student body president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with student leaders from other ACC schools.
North Carolina's Student Government Association President Eve Carson was shot four to five times, including once in the head, early Wednesday morning, police said in a news conference yesterday. Police have not identified any suspects.
Officials at North Carolina did not return calls regarding the date and time of Carson's funeral and memorial service. Friedson said he was not sure which he would attend.
Carson's death underscores the SGA's efforts this week to sign students up for UMD text and e-mail alerts. While the sign-up drive was not sparked by the slaying at North Carolina, he said the random nature of on-campus violence means students should make efforts to "keep themselves safe."
"Unfortunately it often takes tragic events to wake people up," Friedson said. "I can't speak to what affect this case will have, but after the Northern Illinois University shooting the number of students registered for alerts increased drastically."
North Carolina issued an alert to students via text messages and e-mails - the first time they had to use the Alert Carolina warning system - after Carson was found on Wednesday.
Carson, a 22-year-old biology and political science major, who intended to go to medical school, was identified at 9 a.m. yesterday as a part of an ongoing investigation into the crime.
Police were notified before dawn Wednesday morning when residents in the Chapel Hill community allegedly heard gunfire and a woman's scream.
Carson's car, which had been reported missing, was found yesterday and is now being processed for evidence, police said.
In a press conference yesterday, Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy called the incident a "tragic loss" and urged anyone with any information to come forward.
Chapel Hill Police Lt. Kevin Gunter said that the shooting is believed to be a random act of violence, not a targeted attack, despite Carson's high-profile position.
"Regardless of her position, this is a great loss," Friedson said. "She makes me feel like a terrible person because how accomplished, dynamic and unique a person she was."
Friedson, who issued a statement yesterday regarding the incident, said the planned visit to North Carolina is an attempt to express solidarity with the community.
"We want to go down there and offer our support," he said. "I regret now that we never had the opportunity to work together."
A candlelight vigil was held at 7 last night in honor of the slain student body president, and North Carolina Counseling and Wellness Services are on stand-by to help grieving students cope.
"We will plan a full memorial service at a later time," wrote North Carolina Chancellor James Moeser in a statement. "For now, it is important that we pause, contemplate our loss and give each other support."
langdbk@gmail.com
North Carolina's Student Government Association President Eve Carson was shot four to five times, including once in the head, early Wednesday morning, police said in a news conference yesterday. Police have not identified any suspects.
Officials at North Carolina did not return calls regarding the date and time of Carson's funeral and memorial service. Friedson said he was not sure which he would attend.
Carson's death underscores the SGA's efforts this week to sign students up for UMD text and e-mail alerts. While the sign-up drive was not sparked by the slaying at North Carolina, he said the random nature of on-campus violence means students should make efforts to "keep themselves safe."
"Unfortunately it often takes tragic events to wake people up," Friedson said. "I can't speak to what affect this case will have, but after the Northern Illinois University shooting the number of students registered for alerts increased drastically."
North Carolina issued an alert to students via text messages and e-mails - the first time they had to use the Alert Carolina warning system - after Carson was found on Wednesday.
Carson, a 22-year-old biology and political science major, who intended to go to medical school, was identified at 9 a.m. yesterday as a part of an ongoing investigation into the crime.
Police were notified before dawn Wednesday morning when residents in the Chapel Hill community allegedly heard gunfire and a woman's scream.
Carson's car, which had been reported missing, was found yesterday and is now being processed for evidence, police said.
In a press conference yesterday, Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy called the incident a "tragic loss" and urged anyone with any information to come forward.
Chapel Hill Police Lt. Kevin Gunter said that the shooting is believed to be a random act of violence, not a targeted attack, despite Carson's high-profile position.
"Regardless of her position, this is a great loss," Friedson said. "She makes me feel like a terrible person because how accomplished, dynamic and unique a person she was."
Friedson, who issued a statement yesterday regarding the incident, said the planned visit to North Carolina is an attempt to express solidarity with the community.
"We want to go down there and offer our support," he said. "I regret now that we never had the opportunity to work together."
A candlelight vigil was held at 7 last night in honor of the slain student body president, and North Carolina Counseling and Wellness Services are on stand-by to help grieving students cope.
"We will plan a full memorial service at a later time," wrote North Carolina Chancellor James Moeser in a statement. "For now, it is important that we pause, contemplate our loss and give each other support."
langdbk@gmail.com
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