UNC-Chapel Hill Student President Murdered - Black Suspect Sought

These undated photos released by the Chapel Hill Police Department show a man who authorities say was using Eve Carson's ATM card after her death. Carson, 22, was found shot to death early Wednesday, March 5.
Eve Carson

CHAPEL HILL
Police are looking for a young man who used an ATM card belonging to slain UNC Chapel Hill student body president Eve Carson, but they have stopped short of calling him a suspect in her homicide.

Chapel Hill police Chief Brian Curran said investigators have not identified the man whose photo was captured by a surveillance camera as he used the ATM. They can say only that he appears to be black and in his late teens or early 20s.

In photos released Saturday, the man appears to be wearing gloves, what looks like a hooded sweatshirt or parka and a ball cap with a star on it. Chapel Hill police also released a photo of a Houston Astros baseball cap that looks similar. Experts say the Astros cap with an H superimposed on the star is popular with some gangs.

Curran said the ATM photos were taken in the Chapel Hill area but would not say specifically where or when.

"This is our biggest break so far in this case," he said at a news conference Saturday morning. "I know we're still in the first couple of days of this. But this is our strongest lead right now, and we're hopeful that we're able to get this guy identified."

Curran said the ATM camera captured images of the man in a sport utility vehicle with a roof rack that may be Carson's 2005 Toyota Highlander. He referred to the man in the photos as "a person of interest."

Curran said police are putting together a timeline using Carson's cell phone records but said they have not found her keys or her wallet. He repeated that investigators have no evidence to suggest Carson was targeted.

"We believe, at this point, it feels like a random crime," Curran said.

Carson, 22, was found in the Hillcrest neighborhood northeast of the UNC Chapel Hill campus around 5:15 a.m. Wednesday with gunshot wounds, including one to the head. She was carrying no identification, and it was not until Thursday that police announced that they had confirmed her identity.

Carson's Toyota Highlander was discovered Thursday afternoon on North Street, around the corner from her house at Friendly Lane.

The Associated Press reported Friday that Carson was shot in the right temple, something Curran did not confirm or deny Saturday.

"Those are questions we would like to ask the suspect," he said.

Carson's roommates told police they went out at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and that she stayed home alone to study. Curran said Saturday that police think Carson might have left her house later to make copies for school.

A memorial service for Carson will be held today in her hometown of Athens, Ga.

Chancellor sends e-mail to parents

UNC Chapel Hill officials are taking steps to ensure the safety of students after the shooting death of student body president Eve Carson, UNC Chancellor James Moeser said in an e-mail sent Friday to parents.

"Even though there is no information right now to indicate a link between her death and campus security issues, her senseless murder reminds us that we must be vigilant about safety," Moeser said in the e-mail.

The university has been working for months on a new safety awareness campaign called "Alert Carolina," he said.

Starting this week, the college will mail safety brochures to each student's home. Students also will receive a similar brochure at their on- or off-campus residence.

The college will use text messages to communicate during emergencies, Moeser said. Students can sign up to receive the messages on their cell phones by visiting this Web site: alertcarolina.unc.edu.

UNC also has installed sirens to warn those outside about life-threatening situations. The sirens will be tested this month, he said.

Can you help?

Anyone with information in the case should call Chapel Hill Police Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515.

Source: STANLEY B. CHAMBERS JR. AND JESSE DECONTO
(Raleigh) News & Observer
AP