Franco Medina and Sergio Palomino Ruiz.Photo: GoFundMe
New York University (NYU) is mourning the deaths of two grad students who were shot dead while celebrating a friend’s birthday in Puerto Rico at the weekend.
Local authorities believe the students were killed when a dispute escalated between the woman and a group of people at the club, reportedABC7.
The suspect has since been arrested, the outlet added.
“From the preliminary investigation, it emerges that this unfortunate event is an isolated incident due to an apparent prior dispute, which culminated in the death of these two young people, who had nothing to do with the situation,” the Chief of Police from the Puerto Rico Police Department added on Facebook.
“Together with the Police and the Department of Justice, components of different government agencies will be assisting the victims' family and other companions visiting the island.”
San Juan, Puerto Rico.Getty Images
“NYU grieves today with the family, loved ones, and friends of these students, whose lives ended tragically, suddenly, and far too early,” the statement read, reported theNew York Post.
“The University has been in touch with the remaining group members to offer them support and aid; none of the others were injured,” the statement continued, per the outlet.
“NYU has also reached out to the families of the slain students to provide whatever assistance we can and to express the sympathies of the University community. In addition, our counseling service will make resources available to students in the MBA program, the Stern School community, and especially to the close peers and friends of the slain students.”
According to the statement, the students — who were pursuing MBAs at the Stern School of Business — were on a group trip with other classmates.
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NYU is planning a memorial service for the pair on May 11, reported ABC7.
“They were kind-hearted people and they were unfortunately in the wrong place, at the wrong time,” classmate Nick Mica told the outlet.
source: people.com
