Auburn University Freshman Murdered Near Campus

foxnews ^ | 03/05/08 | fox

[TornadoAlley3]

AUBURN, Ala. — An Auburn University student was murdered Tuesday night near campus.

The victim, identified by Auburn police as 18-year-old Lauren A. Burk of Marietta, Ga., was shot to death. She was a freshman pledge with the school's Delta Gamma sorority, sources told FOX News.

[TornadoAlley3]

[peggybac]

Wow, so sad. She was a beautiful girl. Prayers to her family and DG sisters.

[catman67]

I’m sorry to hear this. I suspect that she is another victim of a “gun free” zone!

[bamahead]

Condolences and prayers to the family, who probably do not live very far from me.

[pissant]

RIP Lauren, and prayers for your family.

Of course, this will give Greta and Nancy Grace 6 months of ratings.

[peggybac]

Unfortunately, you are right. I mentioned in another thread that I wish Melanie Morgan would replace Geraldo. I’ve changed my mind - she should replace Greta.

[arthurus]

the murder happened near but not on campus and school officials are in the process of notifying students of the fact that they're not in danger.

How can they make such assurances? They have not arrested the murderer. Therefore he is still "on the loose." So now everyone else is safe? What is that? Are murderers only allowed one killing by law? So now this guy has got his one killing he can't do any more because it would be against the law, right?

[TornadoAlley3]

Remember when we sent our kids off to college and our only worry was that they might not pass.

[rhetorica]

Not only can they not make such assurances, the Auburn PD is notorious for never solving crimes. We have had several murders of students in Auburn that have never been solved. I’ve been here for 15 years and we had two Chinease students brutally murdered—that was never solved. A few years earlier, a young woman was found dead in her off campus apartment in suspicious circumstances—never solved. We have had a student missing for almost a year—no idea what happened to her, but her car has been found (I think it might have been burned out too, hmmmmm, I’ll have to check on that). A man who ran a service station for many years was murdered in a robbery—never solved. There have been others. I’m not feeling very safe at all.

[indcons]

A real pity. May the victim RIP. I’ll send this out to the Auburn ping list later today - after getting home.

~ indcons

[rabscuttle385]

We have had several murders of students in Auburn that have never been solved. I’ve been here for 15 years and we had two Chinease students brutally murdered—that was never solved.

Well, I can cross Auburn off the list of schools that I would consider visiting.

[Monterrosa-24]

“...the Auburn PD is notorious for never solving crimes...”

If she was found out in the county then the Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones should be in on it too. There have been lots of weird stuff going on from Wiccan rituals to dog killings in the county too.

[CarryingOn]

I hope that more intelligent people advise students that they may be in danger. Thanks for the assurance though. I’ll keep my CW handy.

[Fundamentally Fair]

There have been lots of weird stuff going on from Wiccan rituals to dog killings in the county too.

I've heard (so I'll call them rumors) of lots of wierd stuff going on in Montgomery too...

[yarddog]

I was shocked a few years ago to discover there was an active Satanic or Voodoo group in S.E. Georgia. This was an area of rural and small towns.

Most people were probably not aware of it because the people involved were not your ordinary citizens but groups from minorities.

Not sure how much was rumor and how much genuine but at least some of it was real.

[r9etb]

My bet: ex-boyfriend.

[rhetorica]

I don’t know where on N. College she was found, but it sounds like it was within the city limits. I’d feel much better if Jay Jones was in on the investigation.

[yureikumaTN]

During my time at Auburn (88-93) students and faculty could get a CCW from the AUPD if you already had one through Lee County. Lord knows I certainly carried everyday as soon as my CCW permits were approved.

[rhetorica]

You can still get one, you just can’t carry one on campus.

[Gritty]

[cricket]

Not sure where the descrepancies lie here; but stories not clear as to where car was found burning; and if in fact she was found on more remote area of campus but 'campus boundary'. Seems she left her boyfriend's apt. and from there. . .a tragic sequence begins.

But wherever; campus or otherwise; it was certainly close enough to report to students that this had occurred. Who knows; the perp could be another student; so secrecy not good judgment, IMHO. . .This murder took place around nine-thirty last night; and many students were totally unaware as they proceeded to classes for entire morning. No notification or 'warning' by Auburn University Authorities. And no 'special security measures' taken.

Think they have some explaining to do.

Meantime, an all too familiar MO occuring here- young women up for grabs. A sad commentary for today's realities.

Another tragedy that a family and all this young girl's loved ones must endure. A total, abject and WILLful waste of another person's life.

[RDTF]

[modest proposal]

weird how they were never caught..i thought of that other incident with the burning car too. it doesnt seem likely they are connected but who knows.

i am an AU alum and i have to say the place always feels pretty safe as long as you stay where people are. it was unfortunate this girl was in the wrong place at the wrong time (or somehow became a target).

prayers for auburn and all the universities to keep them free of gun attacks.

[DocH]

The police there are saying that students and parents should not be concerned, as this is an isolated incident.

What about the report that a student was murdered and her car set afire in 2006 (saw story on Fox 5 news here in Atlanta last night)?

If my daughter was a student there, I'd be VERY concerned.

[Joe 6-pack]

"My bet: ex-boyfriend."

I'm going with wannabe/never made the cut boyfriend.

[cricket]

I'm going with wannabe/never made the cut boyfriend.

Same here. . .the 'wannabe' OR. . .the quiet stalker-pervert. They still are offering little info re this case. How tragic that she was alive for a time afterwards; but did not make it. Would assume the attacker had no idea she was not left for dead.

[Mamzelle]

The burning car could be a copycat--or someone who watches the CSI shows and is trying to destroy evidence.

Good grief. Open season on college girls.

[LowOiL]

Talk today that someone will be charged... and that they were involved in a few holdup type deal.

[Dysart]

Robbery suspect expected to be charged in Auburn killing

An Alabama man arrested Friday has been charged with three counts of capital murder in connection with the death of Auburn University freshman Lauren Burk of Marietta.

Courtney Lockhart, 23, faces charges of capital murder, capital murder during a robbery and capital murder during an attempted rape, authorities announced during a news conference at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Authorities said Lockhart was identified from a photo. They did not say how the photo was obtained.

Lockhart is being held in the Russell County jail in Alabama on a $250,000 bond, according to the booking report.

Friday evening, WSB-TV reported that there had been an arrest in connection with Burk's death following a high-speed chase. While officials would not confirm the connection, Curt Lewis, a Phenix City police lieutenant, said a 22-year-old from the Smiths Station community near Phenix City, was arrested following a high-speed chase late Friday morning.

[John Robie]

No. Just another member of America’s criminal class.

[LowOiL]

[LowOiL]

Perp picture... don't think it was her boyfriend...

[LowOiL]

Perp found and arrested...

[LowOiL]

Updates above...

[LowOiL]

Update above...

[LowOiL]

Updated above...

[LowOiL]

Update above...

[LowOiL]

Update above...

[LowOiL]

Update post 30 by Dysart...

[LowOiL]

Update.. perp arrested.. see post 30

[LowOiL]

[img]http://bp2.blogger.com/_n-njTteDnPw/R9LzW46LztI/AAAAAAAACLQ/cbrdbWEBwPQ/s1600-h/Lauren_Burk.jpg[/img]

[LowOiL]

[indcons]

Good news. Thanls, LowOil.

[LowOiL]

[RDTF]

thanks for the update!

[cricket]

Yes. . .have to say, again. the outrage that ‘we’ should all be feeling and wanting to correct. That Judges. . .be it of their ‘own mind’ or reflecting the Community that they represent; MUST stop rewarding. . .classifing, the perps of assault. . .theft. . .roberies. . .rape et al; as the ‘first victims.

[cricket]

Thanks for ping. . .did catch it yesterday when breaking. We can only take first collective sigh of relief. Next will be, when this perp meets full Justice. Perhaps had he met it earlier, as per his other criminal efforts, this might not have happened.

Meantime, there is a malevolent virus - a sickness of 'entitlement' that is threatening Comunity, U.S.A.. More epidemic than bird flu; but getting less attention and redress.

[cricket]

ahh. . .typo here; that would be; if only in a manner of speaking. . .’Community, U.S.A.’

[cricket]

now of I can get address correct. . .

ahh. . .typo here; that would be; if only in a manner of speaking. . .’Community, U.S.A.’

Meantime...with a bump and prayers for Lauren, and for all her knew and loved her.