Nov 19, 2007 7:00 pm US/Central
U. Of C. Student Fatally Shot Near Campus
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Amadou Cisse was shot and killed early Monday morning near the campus of the University of Chicago.
A Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago was killed early Monday in a shooting, just after two other incidents on or near the campus.
Amadou Cisse, 28, was walking in the Woodlawn neighborhood when university officials said a gunman walked up and shot him in the chest just steps from his home at 6130 S. Ellis Ave. around 1:30 a.m.
"It could have been me," said law student Holly Snow. The shooting happened right in front of her apartment. "I got back here 45 minutes before it happened, so I just want to make sure I'm safe," Snow said.
Neighbor Edward Mackell was getting ready to head to work at the time. "I didn't know that somebody had gotten shot. You know, it's kind of scary," Mackell said.
The university put a campus safety alert on its website and e-mailed a letter to notify students of the murder.
"This is an unspeakable tragedy for our community. Everyone in our community is working through their feelings of shock and grief and fear," said Julie Peterson of the University of Chicago.
Cisse was from Senegal and working on a degree in chemistry. The university is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in the case.
Earlier, at 6045 Woodlawn, just after 12:30 a.m., a man reported being chased and said someone fired a shot at him. About 40 minutes later, two women said they were robbed at 924 E. 57th St. by a man threatening he had a gun.
20th Ward Alderman Willie B. Cochran walked the streets in the area informing neighbors of the violence and urging anyone with information to come forward.
"Say something to police. At this point, there was only one gunman who pulled the trigger. But as long as they stay silent, they become accessories to the crime," Cochran said.
Police are investigating whether the incidents are related, according to an alert issued by the university.
A dark-colored car, believed to be involved in the fatal shooting of Cisse, was seen driving from the scene, according to a Calumet Area detective.
A 75-year-old man who lives near the shooting told police he heard gunfire, looked out his window, saw the victim on the ground and a dark-colored car driving away, according to the detective.
University and Chicago police officers responded and are working together to investigate, the alert said. Police are increasing patrols in and around campus and evaluating additional steps to ensure safety.
U of C students and staff are encouraged to use the school's saferide Program, and to request assistance from police if they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings, according to the alert.
Students who need assistance are encouraged to contact the Student Counseling and Resource Service at (773) 702-9800. Counseling resources are available to faculty and staff through Perspectives at (800) 456-6327.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones and the STNG wire contributed to this report.
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