Murder of U.S. Jewish student has community alarmed

MIDDLETOWN, Connecticut - Anxious students at Wesleyan University huddled in their dorms Thursday, and the city's only synagogue was shut down, as authorities revealed the man wanted in the shooting of a Wesleyan student had apparently threatened the young woman beforehand.

Authorities also said the gunman, who was still at large, could be targeting the school as well as Jews.

Johanna Justin-Jinich, 21, was shot several times Wednesday inside Broad Street Books, a popular student bookstore where she worked. The gunman was said to be wearing a wig.

Two years ago, Justin-Jinich complained to police that the suspect, 29-year-old Stephen P. Morgan, had stalked and threatened her.

Evidence suggests that Morgan may be targeting the Wesleyan University campus as well as the Jewish community, Middletown Police Chief Lynn Baldoni said. Investigators have been in contact with Wesleyan University and leaders of the local Jewish community, urging both to be extra vigilant.

Justin-Jinich, of Timnath, Colorado, came from a Jewish family, said her former stepmother. Greg Morgan told The Associated Press that his brother Stephen wasn't anti-Semitic and hadn't shown any anti-Semitism in the past. "My brother was a very sweet person and had a big heart, and I hope he's OK," he said.

University officials urged students to stay indoors and told staff members to stay home. The spring semester ended Tuesday and finals are scheduled for next week.

Most buildings on campus, including cafeterias and the library, were locked. Normally bustling sidewalks were empty, and police cruisers patrolled the campus. In dorms, students dressed in flip-flops, gym shorts and pajama pants shuffled downstairs to pick up boxed lunches of roasted vegetable, tuna fish or cheese sandwiches.

"I'm staying inside," said freshman Christina Yow, of China. "We're supposed to do some work, but really I just keep checking my e-mail and checking on friends and letting people from home know that I'm OK. Anything to distract."

Morgan's last known address was Swampscott, Massachusetts. Family members have tried to contact him, but don't know where he is, Greg Morgan said.

New York authorities said Justin-Jinich filed a harassment complaint against Morgan when they were enrolled at the same six-week program at New York University. In a complaint filed July 17, 2007, Justin-Jinich said Morgan called her repeatedly and sent her insulting e-mails.

"You're going to have a lot more problems down the road if you can't take any (expletive) criticism, Johanna," one of the e-mails said, according to the police report.

Both were interviewed by university police, but Justin-Jinich decided not to press charges.

Police would not say why they believe Morgan may target the university or Jews.

Johanna Justin-Jinich would have graduated next year from Wesleyan, an elite private liberal arts school with about 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students.