Gunman in wig kills Wesleyan student at bookstore

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — A disguised gunman fatally shot a Wesleyan University student while she worked at a popular bookstore near campus Wednesday before he fled into the bustling downtown area, leaving his wig behind.

Police with dogs and armed with assault rifles swarmed nearby streets looking for a suspect early Wednesday afternoon and asked Wesleyan students to stay indoors. But after reassuring residents later in the afternoon that there was no threat to the public, police issued new warnings Wednesday night, telling residents and students to stay inside and be "extra vigilant."

Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Stephen Morgan. It was unclear where he lives, and a Wesleyan spokesman said Morgan had no known connection to the university.

Authorities released a surveillance photo taken inside the bookstore of a thin, bearded man they believe is Morgan, and they described him as armed and dangerous.

Police Lt. Margaret Liseo said 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."

The victim was identified as Johanna Justin-Jinich, of Timnath, Colo. She was working at the Red and Black Cafe inside Broad Street Books when the gunman shot her several times. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

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."

Authorities said there were several witnesses to the shooting, and police found a wig used by the gunman and a weapon at the bookstore. Liseo said authorities haven't confirmed that it was the weapon used in the shooting.