Stephen Morgan, 29, shot and killed Wesleyan University student Johanna Justin-Jinich at the campus' Middletown, Connecticut bookstore on May 6, 2009. After the shooting, police warned that Morgan was armed and dangerous and may have been targeting "Wesleyan University campus as well as the Jewish community."NY Daily News: Armed and Dangerous Suspect on the Loose (May 7, 2009)
On May 8, 2009, a judge in Middletown, Connecticut raised Morgan's bail from $10 million to $15 million. Superior Court Judge Mary-Margaret Burgdorff said the raised bail was due to the seriousness of Morgan's crime and the threat he posed to the community. She also expressed concern that, because Morgan does not live in Connecticut and used a disguise to commit a crime, he is an increased flight risk.New York Times: Bail Raised to $15 Million... (May 8, 2009)
Surrender
On the evening of May 7, 2009, Morgan turned himself into the Middletown police.Hartford Courant: Suspect In Wesleyan Slaying Turns Himself In (May 8, 2009) Morgan, who shot Jinich seven times, was charged with murder and held on a $10 million bail.Hartford Courant: Suspect In Wesleyan Slaying Turns Himself In (May 8, 2009)
NYU Summer Program
- Stephan Morgan and Johanna Justin-Jinich reportedly met when they participated in a six-week summer program at New York University in 2007. John Beckman, a spokeman for NYU, confirmed that both Justin-Jinich and Morgan were "residents in student housing but did not stay in the same residence hall."Hartford Courant: Wesleyan Shooter (May 7, 2009)
Near the end of the summer program, Justin-Jinich said she had received harassing e-mails and phone calls from Morgan and filed a harassment complaint with the NYU Public Safety Department. The campus Public Safety Department informed the NYPD of the complaint and according to Beckman, "initial conversations were conducted with each person by the police. Ultimately, after attempts to follow-up with Ms. Justin-Jinich about pursuing the matter, she declined to pursue the case."Hartford Courant: Wesleyan Shooter (May 7, 2009)
Anti-Semitic
Morgan's journal was found by police and kept as evidence. In it, he reportedly wrote that "I think it's okay to kill Jews" and that Justin-Jinich "must die." Justin-Jinich was the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor.MSNBC: Murder suspect: "Okay to kill Jews" (May 8, 2009)
Candlelight Vigil for Justin-Jinich
- Wesleyan students had planned a candlelight vigil to remember Justin-Jinich during the evening of May 6, 2009. The vigil was canceled when officials emailed the Wesleyan community warning against any gathering.Wesleyan University: Johanna Justin-Jinich '10 (May 6, 2009)
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Fast Facts
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Was 29-years-old in May 2009
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Reportedly met Johanna Justin-Jinich when they participated in a six-week summer program at New York University in 2007Hartford Courant: Wesleyan Shooter (May 7, 2009)
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Justin-Jinich, a Colorado-native, was a student at Wesleyan University, Class 2010Wesleyan University: Johanna Justin-Jinich '10 (May 6, 2009)
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Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Connecticut and has approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate studentsMSNBC: Police: Campus Gunman Targeting Jews, School (May 7, 2009)
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May 6, 2009
At approximately 1 p.m., entered the Red & Black Cafe inside Broad Street Books, a off-campus bookstore, and shot Justin-Jinich seven timesHartford Courant: Suspect In Wesleyan Slaying Turns Himself In (May 8, 2009)
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Justin-Jinich was rushed to Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, CT and was pronounced deadHartford Courant: Wesleyan Shooter (May 7, 2009)
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A SWAT team was practicing near the bookstore and they quickly responded and cordoned off the areaHartford Courant: Wesleyan Shooter (May 7, 2009)
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The Wesleyan campus was locked down and the university's annual "Spring Fling" events were canceledHartford Courant: Wesleyan Shooter (May 7, 2009)
