A 20-year-old woman was shot and killed, and three other people were wounded early Sunday at a large off-campus party attended by numerous UA students, Tucson police say.
The death of University of Arizona sophomore Erin Jones is โa tragic loss,โ UA President Robert C. Robbins said in a message to university students, faculty, staff and others in the campus community, which he said he was sharing โwith profound sadness.โ
โOur deepest sympathies go out to Erinโs family in California and across the country, her friends, and her classmates in Tucson and Newport Beach, who are absorbing the heartbreaking news today,โ Robbins wrote. โI have spoken with Erinโs family and offered the Universityโs full support, and we will continue to be there for them. At the appropriate time, we will share information with the community regarding plans to honor her life and memory.โ
He also urged any students struggling with โthis devastating newsโ to take advantage of mental health and counseling services offered by UA, and announced that expanded support will be offered Monday at two sites.
The Tucson Police Department gave the following account of the shooting in a news release:
Officers responded to reports of the shooting at a large party around 1:40 a.m. outside a home in the 3200 block of East Fifth Street, east of North Country Club Road.
They found Jones shot and she was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.
The three other people wounded, a woman, a man and a teen-age girl, all had injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Numerous witnesses left before officers arrived and details are limited so far, police say.
โAny loss of life is tragic, especially for a young person taken from her family and friends so early in her life. I want to encourage any of you struggling to cope with this devastating news, whether you knew Erin or not, to take advantage of our campus resources,โ Robbins said.
Students needing mental health support can contact Campus Healthโs Counseling & Psych Services by calling 520-621-3334, scheduling online, or visiting one of its locations during operating hours, Robbins said.
Anyone with information can call the Tucson Police Department at (520) 791-4444 or the University of Arizona Police Department at (520) 621-8273. Anynous tips also can be made to 88-CRIME (520-882-7463).
