UPDATE (July 29): Two men and two minors have been arrested in connection with this assault, reports NBCLosAngeles.com. Jonathan DelCarmen, 19, and Andrew Garcia, 18, along with two minors, are believed to have gone on a crime spree and targeted the victim last week. Because the murder occurred during the commission of a robbery, the suspects could face the death penalty.
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A University of Southern California (USC) Chinese engineering student was discovered dead in his apartment near campus Thursday morning.
Authorities believe Xinran Ji was assaulted by a group of males and robbed as he was walking home from a study group at school, reports the ——Article Continues Below——
USC Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Elizabeth Garrett released the following statement regarding the incident:
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you about the tragic passing of one of our engineering graduate students at his apartment north of campus, near 30th Street and Vermont Avenue. We are withholding the student’s name until the family can be notified.
Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the student’s death, which appears to have occurred sometime this morning from a head injury, the cause of which has not been determined. We will wait for more information from LAPD before drawing any conclusions. From all early indications, this was an isolated incident and there was and is no apparent threat to the campus community.
Student Affairs is reaching out to the student’s family, roommate and friends to offer all appropriate support and counseling. We urge anyone who would like counseling or other support to contact Student Affairs at (213) 740-2421 or Student Counseling Services at (213) 740-7711.
We will provide more information as we receive it on the family’s wishes regarding a memorial for our student.
Our hearts are with the victim’s family and friends, and our entire Trojan Family.
