Wesleyan U. suspect has ties to Colo.; was in state recently

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt for the suspect in the killing of Connecticut college student from Colorado.

University officials say Johanna Justin-Jinich, 21, a Wesleyan student from Fort Collins, died Wednesday afternoon after being shot several times at a popular bookstore near the campus.

Justin-Jinich was pronounced dead at Middletown Hospital.

Middletown Police Chief Lynn Baldoni says investigators uncovered a connection between Justin-Jinich and the gunman, and her shooting was not a random act.

Police say they're looking for 29-year-old Stephen Morgan.

On July 10, 2007, Justin-Jinich filed an aggravated harassment complaint with the New York Police Department against Morgan, police told WNBC.

The Middletown Press quoted unidentified sources as saying the gunman is the victim's ex-boyfriend. Middletown Police Lt. Margaret Liseo would not comment on the report.

It's unclear where he lives. An Associated Press report says police believe he may be targeting the university and the Jewish community. A Wesleyan spokesman says he has no known connection to the university.

The Hartford Courant reports police confiscated Morgan's car which had Colorado plates. He fled the area on foot.

And police also believe he was in Boulder before he went to Middleton.

Officials say they they've launched a nationwide manhunt for Morgan. They don't know if he's still in the Middletown area, and say he has past connections to New York, Colorado and Massachusetts.

Morgan's brother, Greg Morgan, told the Associated Press that his family is "absolutely distraught" and hopes police find his brother, Stephen Morgan. He says the family wants to be sure "no one else gets hurt."

He says family members unsuccessfully tried to contact Stephen. He said he has no idea where his brother is.

Stephen Morgan's sister read the following statement to the media Thursday:

We are shocked and sickened by the tragedy in Middletown and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim. We have been cooperating in every way possible with the authorities who are searching for Steve.



We do not know where Steve is or where he might go we would like to send him this message via the media. Turn yourself in right now to any law enforcement agency wherever you are to avoid any further bloodshed. We love you, we will support you in every way and we don't want anyone else to get hurt.

Police said Morgan may now be targeting the school and Jews. Asked about that, Greg Morgan said "I don't think he was capable of anything."


Police have released a surveillance photo of a man they believe is Morgan. It was taken Wednesday at the Broad Street Books store where Justin-Jinich was killed. Police say a wig was recovered at the scene.

WVIT reports that Liseo told the Associated Press that evidence uncovered at the scene "heightened our level of concern," but she wouldn't say what the evidence was.

"We just want to get the message out there to be extra vigilant," she said. "This individual is armed and dangerous, and we want to be sure public safety is our top priority."

Police said they recovered Morgan's car near the bookstore and believe he is on foot. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Residents are urged to be vigilant and call 911 if they see the suspect but not approach him.

Justin-Jinich would have graduated next year from Wesleyan, a private liberal arts school in central Connecticut with about 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

She was a 2006 graduate of the Westtown School, a private Quaker boarding school in rural southeastern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles west-southwest of Philadelphia. Head of School John Baird said he spent much of Wednesday informing people there that the victim of the shooting was the honor student who participated in tennis and dance in her high school years. Wesleyan University officials offered counseling Wednesday night.

"This is a devastating loss for Johanna's family, friends, and for the entire Wesleyan Community," the university said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to all those who grieve for Johanna, and we hope all can find comfort in the support of friends, teachers and classmates."

Bill Howes says he was so relieved when the phone rang at his home in Thornton. It was his Brother, Jim, saying he was OK. Jim was inside the Broad Street Bookstore near Wesleyan University Campus in Connecticut when the woman was fatally shot.

Jim Howes said: "I was standing near a bookshelf when I heard what sounded like the pop of firecrackers so it was really odd. Moments later I heard screaming. A girl came rushing out saying, 'There is someone in the store with a gun.'"

Middleton Police say there were five shell casings found near the woman. Howes says he saw her.

"It was clear it was a terrible injury," he said. "I just feel awful for her family."

Jim Howes says people in the bookstore who know the victim say she is from Colorado. It got his attention since he has family here too.

The President of Wesleyan posted this statement online Wednesday afternoon:

It is my sad duty to inform you that a Wesleyan student was fatally shot at the Broad Street Bookstore earlier this afternoon. The parents of the student have already been notified, but we cannot release the student's name until all of the immediate family have been contacted. A gun was recovered at the scene of the shooting; however the suspect is still at large. We have asked students, faculty and staff to remain indoors while Middletown Police continue to search for suspect(s). All campus events scheduled for today, including Spring Fling, are cancelled.