The parents of a slain New York college student said she was in the wrong place at the wrong time when she was shot to death last week near her university.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Elizabeth Howell, 21, a music education student at the State University of New York at Potsdam, was found lying along College Park Road – just off campus – around 6 p.m. Friday with gunshot wounds.
Medics rushed her to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
On Saturday, police arrested 31-year-old Michael J. Snow in connection with Howell’s death. He has been charged with second-degree murder.
Howell, who was a member of the school’s Crane Symphony Orchestra, didn’t know the suspect. SUNY Potsdam said that he “has no affiliation with the college, either as a student, employee or graduate,” according to the Times-Union.
Elizabeth’s father, Joe Howell, told the New York Post that his daughter wasn’t known for having enemies.
“She was the type of person that didn’t have enemies, and certainly no one that would want to kill her. As soon as they told us, we figured wrong place, wrong time…She’s a wonderful young lady, a talented musician, a dear friend, an all-around great person. She was always willing to help you out.”
Police haven’t confirmed or denied whether Elizabeth knew the suspect.
Howell hailed from Putnam County, New York, and was on track to graduate this year from the university’s Crane School of Music, according to Syracuse.com. The campus, which is about 30 miles from the Canadian border, canceled Monday classes and other activities because of Howell’s death. A vigil is planned.
“Beth was a cellist who performed with the Crane Symphony Orchestra, and she was an aspiring educator with a bright future ahead of her,” a Facebook post from the university reads. “No words can express the sadness we share as a campus community following this tragic loss.”
Snow remains in jail without bail.
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[Feature Photo: Elizabeth Howell/Facebook]
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