The Murder of University of North Carolina Student Eve Carson & What You Can Do to Avoid Harm on College Campuses

According to The News & Observer based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, police are still searching for clues in the fatal shooting of UNC senior Eve Marie Carson. Police responding to a 911 call reporting gunfire found Carson's body shortly before sunrise on Wednesday at the intersection of Hillcrest Road and Hillcrest Circle. This area is approximately the midpoint of downtown Chapel Hill and the University Mall. Officers noted multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head. The victim's 2005 blue Toyota Highlander (with Georgia license plate AIV 6690) was missing from the scene. She was last seen alive Wednesday at 1:30 AM. The police chief, Brian Curran, said they did not have a motive and added he felt this was a random act of violence.

College is widely regarded as the best years of a person's life. You are surrounded by thousands of other people that share the same age and, generally, the same interests, dreams, and goals. Also, for many students, it provides a training ground for adulthood. You are away from home for the first time and must learn to balance school work and socializing. This story, along with recent campus shootings at Northern Illinois and Virginia Tech, serve as sobering reminders that students should take precautions to protect themselves in these environments. The following article will detail ways which you can avoid becoming another sad statistic.

Always identify emergency exits in any location immediately when entering. This may sound like borderline paranoia, but it just takes a moment to do this. Whether you are in a classroom, fast food restaurant, bar, or shopping center, this simple action could make the difference between life or death. I always think about my baseball playing days when it comes to this. Whenever a batter would step to the plate, I would imagine the ball coming to me and determine where I would throw it before the pitcher's windup.

Only use alcohol in moderation. Sure you go to parties in college. However, that does not mean you should turn into Bluto from Animal House. The vast majority of fights, sexual assaults, hazing incidences, and alcohol poisonings on campus occur as a result of partying. Avoid going to parties where you are not familiar with the hosts and most of the attendees. Also, avoid drinking games that may result in a huge consumption of liquor. My personal experience with Beer Pong and Quarters quickly come to mind, but that is for another article. In addition, know your body. If you have never tried hard liquor, then it is never a good idea to down shots with your friends with reckless abandon. Finally, you will find out later in life that it is just as much fun to stay sober and watch the drunkards make fools of themselves.

Whenever possible, travel with a buddy. An attacker is less likely to strike groups of two or more. Whether you are walking to the library, party, sporting event, or anywhere in between, take a friend or roommate. If something did happen, you or your friend could get help. Thinking back to my college days, I cannot recall an instance where I did something alone. This is a perfect time of your life to take advantage of the social opportunities in college.

If you need to go somewhere alone, take the necessary precautions. This, of course, follows the rule that you should not be alone late at night. If it is necessary to be out late, walk on well lit paths, preferably inhabited by other groups of people. This will deter criminals since they do not want to be seen in the act, and they may think you are with the other groups. In addition, many schools have escorts that can accompany you around campus. Do not hesitate to use this service if it is available.

Report any suspicious individuals or activity. Your campus security is readily available and often depends on this type of information from students. The majority of recent campus incidents have been perpetrated by individuals you have exhibited strange behavior. If you notice someone lurking in shadows, peeking into windows, or making threats, immediately call campus security. Imagine if your tip prevented a school shooting or the senseless murder of another bright student who had their entire life in front of them.