Homepage / Atlanta News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Police: Eve Carson Killed By Handgun

Police: Eve Carson's Car Stolen

POSTED: 12:53 pm EST March 6, 2008
UPDATED: 1:00 pm EST March 7, 2008

The student body president at the University of North Carolina was killed by a shot from a handgun to her right temple, police said Friday afternoon.

To read Gov. Sonny Perdue's statement on the deaths of Lauren Burk and Eve Carlson, click here.

Investigators also said they believe Eve Carson's Toyota Highlander was stolen. It was later found about a mile away from her body.

Police said they don't have any suspects in the 22-year-old's death, and believe it was a random act of violence.

The body of the senior from Athens, Ga., was found lying in a city street before dawn Wednesday, shot several times. Carson was last seen alive at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, when she stayed home to do schoolwork while her roommates went out, authorities said. Officers found the body of a young woman about a mile from campus after neighbors reported hearing shots around 5 a.m.

The medical examiner said there was no indication that Carson had been sexually assaulted.

Curran said detectives had no evidence other than her car, which was found Thursday about a mile from where her body was discovered. Officers found the blue 2005 Toyota Highlander after receiving a tip from a witness who spotted it near the main drag though the college town about 45 minutes west of Raleigh.

University of North Carolina Chancellor James Moeser said there was nothing to link Carson's slaying to anyone on campus.

"We have lost someone whom we cherish and love," Moeser told a massive crowd on the school's quad at a memorial service, one of two held Thursday. "We're all in a state of shock."

A huge crowd of students, staff and faculty gathered on campus in the afternoon to remember Carson. Students passed out daisies and carnations, and large boards were erected for students to leave written memories. Dozens of counselors were available to talk to students.

Students met again after nightfall for a candlelight vigil at The Pit, a popular campus gathering spot.

"If they saw a smile on Eve's face, they were smiling," said Carly Swain of Charlotte. "If she was having fun, they had fun for a second because that's the kind of power she had over people."

Moeser said Friday that Carson's death had shaken the entire community.

"This is a place where students really bond to the university and to themselves," he told NBC's "Today." "We can only get through this by embracing each other."

Carson was a prestigious Morehead-Cain scholar and a North Carolina Fellow, taking part in a four-year leadership development program for undergraduates. A premed student, she majored in political science and biology, taught science at a Chapel Hill elementary school, studied abroad in Cuba and spent summers volunteering in Ecuador, Egypt and Ghana as part of a school program.

Moeser said he last saw Carson on Tuesday, at the Tar Heels men's basketball game against Florida State.

"This is a tragedy magnified and multiplied by the number and depth of relationships, many relationships that Eve Carson had on this campus," Moeser told the students. "This enormous throng is a testament to the many and deep relationships.

"Eve Carson personified the Carolina spirit."

Carson is the daughter of Bob Carson and Teresa Bethke. A man answering the phone at Bob Carson's business, Carson Advisory Inc. in Athens, said the family had no comment.

Maxine Easom, principal of Clarke Central High School in Athens, where Carson graduated as valedictorian in 2004 and was also elected student body president, said she and staff members learned of her death Thursday morning.

"We're devastated," Easom said. "Eve was just the most wonderful young woman you would ever want to know. She was brilliant. She was absolutely beautiful. Everything she did was aimed at helping other people. It's one of the greatest tragedies I've ever known. Eve was one of the young women who could change the world."

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

Do you want the look of a quality paint job without the hassle of having to redo it over and over? Spray on siding could be the answer. More

Find out exactly what Medicare covers with our easy-to-use Medicare coverage tool. More

Sponsored Links

Health Topics & Information

10 expert tips to promote a healthier heart. Learn why the “full-fat” version of food is often better than the “low-fat” version. More