College Student Shot Dead, Car Torched

Auburn University Freshman Fatally Shot, Car Found On Fire Miles Away; No Immediate Arrests

(CBS/AP)  An Auburn University student was found fatally shot on a highway just before her car was discovered in flames on campus, several miles away.

Auburn police were investigating Tuesday's death of Lauren Burk as a homicide but made no immediate arrests.

"As soon as we know more we might release it, but what information we have now we're holding it close to our chest," police Capt. Tom Stofer said.

University officials advised students in an e-mail around noon Wednesday that there was "no indication of additional danger to campus or student safety." But the school said the police presence on campus had been increased.

Burk, an 18-year-old freshman from Marietta, Ga., was found wounded on Alabama Highway 147 around 9 p.m. Tuesday, and Auburn police said her Honda Civic was found engulfed in flames at the campus about 20 minutes later. She died Tuesday night at a hospital.

Gov. Bob Riley's office is offering a $10,000 reward in the case, Stofer said.

Confusion and shock spread throughout campus quickly Wednesday morning, the Auburn Plainsman reported.

“I want to know what caused it, because obviously she was targeted,” Jeni Young, a freshman in special education, told the newspaper.

An on-campus prayer vigil for Burk was being organized by her friends, and a memorial was being planned by her sorority, Delta Gamma.

"Delta Gammas across the country offer hope and friendship to Lauren's family and all who have been affected by this tragedy," the sorority's national office said in a statement.

[bhappy2-2]

You know, not all gun owners are nuts. Why do people want to take guns away from everyone for what a few people do? We don''t take all vehicles away from everyone just because a few idiots decide to drive while intoxicated and kill other people. We don''t take all the knives away from everyone just because a few people use them to kill others. We don''t take airplanes away from everyone just because a few pilots have crashed and killed other people. We don''t take all the baseball bats away from everyone just because someone used one to kill someone else. There are any number of items that kill, we don''t take them away from everyone just because they are used for that purpose.

[bobnjersey]

[Gun violence again!!! Another Gun NUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! ][Posted by EyeSupremacy at 06:34 PM : Mar 05, 2008]

he could be a fire NUT ... or a robbery NUT ... or maybe even a rape NUT ... it''s tough to tell.

[keithle1]

Notice how they never go after the fugly ones. Lock up your pretty daughters!

[keithle1]

Can''t do anything about guns here in the ole USA. It''s too late. The genie is out of the bottle. Maybe every baby should be given a handgun when they''re born. And a bulletproof vest.

[drew30319-2009]

My thoughts and prayers are with this young lady''s friends and families. My 18 year old daughter was murdered two years ago and I appreciate how terrible and surreal this is for you. I''m so sorry that you''re having to deal with this.

Drew Crecente
Director, Jennifer Ann''s Group
JenniferAnn.org

[hypnotoad72]

Disgusting. I can''t think of many reasons for such a despicable crime to take place... jilted "lover", perhaps?

[noirceur]

Keithle1-Both of your remarks were "STUPID"

[noirceur]

bhappy2-2 Thank-You so much for your comment,I was starting to think I was the only one smart enough to know this.

[hypnotoad72]

Disgusting. I can''t think of many reasons for such a despicable crime to take place... jilted "lover", perhaps?

[zootallures2]

The baboons are flipping out again. Another jealous female baboon, maybe? It''s been hard to contain these beasts since the learned to use tools and fire. Just keep it amongst yourselves.

[downtowner97]

Just to throw us a total curve, the media should report just once on a fat ugly non white girl getting killed. Put her big, pimply non white face up as big as possible, and then write an article about how it was a shame she got killed because she really liked her job collecting shopping carts at Safeway.

[billorights]

For you who have had little exposure to our little friend schoolmast1, previously known as schoollord, and revered by the rest of us as schoolLIAR, take a moment and ask yourself - have you ever, for even a fleeting moment, had reason to believe that CBS was in any way pro-Gun or pro-NRA? Not in my lifetime! They are, however, tired of his monotone of anti-gun tripe. There is a good chance that you soon will be, too.

[ontheleft]

The first thing I thought when I saw her picture was - another young white attractive woman has been killed. Sure enough I was right.

How many people in the U.S. (male, female, old, young, ugly, attractive) have been murdered in the last week? Dozens I''m sure.

How many of these were young, attractive, female and white?

[inachu1]

What is it with men who kill pretty girls?
These psycho men who go crazy:
If I can''t have her then nobody can!

These Emo type need to go see a shrink.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by schoolmast1 at 10:34 PM

I always find to spot on. Those in favor of a gun in the hands of anyone who wants to own one, often resort to worn out and useless cliches such as "if you take away guns then only criminals will have guns." Ultimately, taking away guns in general is not the issue, but controlling them is. Don''t let them discourage you.

[libsrweak]

Posted by schoolmast1 at 10:34 PM : Mar 05, 2008
+ report abuse

*******

sp according to you..all we need to do is FIND THE GUN and this case is closed..WE FOUND THE KILLER

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by schoolmast1 at 10:34 PM

Oops! Sorry, I seem to type to fast. I was saying that I always find you to be spot on about everything you state. Good job!

[libsrweak]

Posted by rudy654 at 11:41 PM : Mar 05, 2008
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******

well then you guys are a bunch of ill informed morons..who said everyone can have a gun?????????????

liberals had been regulating gun ownership..we have som many laws on teh books the only PROBLEM IS YOU MORONS ARE TOO WEAK AND PATHETIC TO ENFORCE IT...

[libsrweak]

do you guys knows what happens to criminals and gangsters with gun charges on them in liberal california??????

they become high paid rappers teaching our kids how to pimp slap a ''ho...win the noble prize...host a reality show...

[libsrweak]

What is NOT hard to tell is that she was killed with a GUN!~

Posted by schoolmast1
--------------------

Yes
, even an infant could recognize that if witnessing the act.

Posted by ilikecats1 at 11:31 PM : Mar 05, 2008
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*******

would she LESS DEAD if she was killed with a knife???

[rudy654-2009]

PROBLEM IS YOU MORONS ARE TOO WEAK AND PATHETIC TO ENFORCE IT...Posted by libsrweak at 11:45 PM

Ooops, diarrhea of the mouth! Usually that is what people like you have when you have nothing value to say.

[rudy654-2009]

would she LESS DEAD if she was killed with a knife??? Posted by libsrweak at 11:58 PM

Would it likely be a butter knife, gov?

[libsrweak]

Posted by rudy654 at 12:00 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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*******

normally someone who is criminally minded are not to picky..the person can kill you with a fork...

[sverre5-2009]

Linking high crime and weak law enforcement to a liberal state is a bit of a stereotype, especially considering California has a more mixed voting record than some would assume. There are several cities with high crime rates that are in what one would call a red state. Both parties have elected leaders that have shown inadequacies in crime prevention, as well as leaders that have proven to be effective at it. The difference between the two parties is in the method of crime prevention, and how adept the said political leader is at carrying through the policies.

[libsrweak]

osted by rudy654 at 11:58 PM : Mar 05, 2008
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******

oh pardon me...let me rephrase that YOUR LAWS FROM A LONG TIME AGO..AND EVERY LAWS THAT LIBERALS PASSED TO REGULATE THE GUN ..SO AS TO CONTROL CRIME..DOES NOT WORK...

all you have to do is look on how many laws were passed but not an inch in improvement...

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by libsrweak at 12:03 AM

Of course, a fork will do the trick just as well as a gun.

[libsrweak]

Posted by Sverre5 at 12:03 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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********

california is a liberal state with liberal laws...the only reason why we have a republican as governor is because he is more liberal..

[rudy654-2009]

that YOUR LAWS FROM A LONG TIME AGO..AND EVERY LAWS THAT LIBERALS PASSED TO REGULATE THE GUN ..SO AS TO CONTROL CRIME..DOES NOT WORK...

all you have to do is look on how many laws were passed but not an inch in improvement...
Posted by libsrweak at 12:05 AM

Are you able to explain which laws you are talking about?

[libsrweak]

Of course, a fork will do the trick just as well as a gun.

Posted by rudy654 at 12:06 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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i think you cant get any better than dead..and both can do that..so if they use a fork..you will be just less dead?? OR HOW ABOUT THIS..IT DEPENDS ON WHO IS BEHIND THE GUN OR THE FORK THAT WOULD DECIDE IF YOU DIE OR NOT..

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by libsrweak at 12:08 AM

Right now I am just letting you have the floor. If you say a fork works as well as a gun, so be it.

[libsrweak]

Posted by rudy654 at 12:07 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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*****

well one must be 21 years of age..to own a handgun..one must clear a background check..before you buy a handgun you need to take a course in handgun safety..magazine capacity..and if you want i can research for some more..and that is just california..

and you know what..crime is not less but became more freequent and more violent..and you know why..its because WE FAIL TO ENFORCE THESE LAWS..AND OTHER LAWS THAT DEALS WITH CRIMINALS

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by libsrweak at 12:11 AM

I don''t know about where you live, but where I live one does not have to be 21 to have a gun.

[libsrweak]

If you say a fork works as well as a gun, so be it.

Posted by rudy654 at 12:09 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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********

IN MURDERING SOMEBODY..it does not matter what you use..YOUR DEAD..its not like when you die with a hangun you look more presentable..YOUR DEAD..

[libsrweak]

Posted by rudy654 at 12:12 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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*******

I live in Los Angeles..so you tell me...we have laws up the arse..honestly DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WHO ARE ABOUT TO COMMIT A CRIME IS WORRIED ABOUT A LIBERAL''S GUN LAW?????????

[rudy654-2009]

Also background checks do seem rather useless as most of the criminals don''t become criminals until they actually decide to shoot someone. Then everyone says, "But he was such a nice guy." "He used to pet my dog every day."

[ubrew12]

libsrweak said: "normally someone who is criminally minded are not to picky..the person can kill you with a fork" Statistics show they don''t. They kill you with a gun, and then regret that they did so. Gun''s are too easy, forks are hard.

[libsrweak]

Posted by ilikecats1 at 12:13 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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******

THE PARTY WHERE liberals are more prone to agree with normally choice the easy way of ''crime prevention''..they ignore it

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by libsrweak at 12:12 AM

Yeah, it does matter. But I won''t explain it to you just yet.

[rudy654-2009]

DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WHO ARE ABOUT TO COMMIT A CRIME IS WORRIED ABOUT A LIBERAL''''S GUN LAW????????? Posted by libsrweak at 12:13 AM

Why should they worry about gun laws at all, if they can go down the street or wherever to the gun show and get all they want?

[libsrweak]

Posted by ubrew12 at 12:15 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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*************************

and so you think that most murderers in this country are commited with a gun????????

[libsrweak]

okay would some anti-gun advocate please explain to me why with all the gun laws passed in the past that deaths via gun still happens?????


BECAUSE CONTROLLING GUNs DOES NOT WORK..

[libsrweak]

Why should they worry about gun laws at all, if they can go down the street or wherever to the gun show and get all they want?

Posted by rudy654 at 12:17 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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******

we have laws about that..but they wont enforce it..HE I AGREE WITH GUN LAWS but is fu cking time to enforce it..

[libsrweak]

his is why proper storage and security of firearms is so important - like child car seats.

Unquestionably firearms should be treated like drugs and cars and poisons and household cleaners and other potentially hazardous objects when thinking of children.

No one would let a child play in the household cleaners, or so I would dearly hope not. A child needs us adults to help them grow up safe and sound.

Posted by ilikecats1 at 12:23 AM : Mar 06, 2008
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********

like i siad we have laws about accidental deaths due to unsecured handguns..IT IS NOT LIKE WE DONT HAVE ANY IN THE BOOKS..so if a kid kills another kids because the gun owner is iresponsble then he gets it.

should we do that too to all pools deaths?

[rudy654-2009]

From the US Dept. of Justice for 2005:

Of the homicides for which the type of weapon was specified, firearms were used in 72.6 percent of the offenses. Of the identified firearms used, handguns comprised 87.3 percent.

[libsrweak]

WE DONT NEED MORE LAWS..WE NEED TO ENFORCE THE LAWS WE HAVE NOW..

[wareagleem]

I''m a freshman at Auburn University -- just like Lauren Burk. It''s surreal to see Auburn on the national news because of such a horribly tragedy. Anyone who knows anything about Auburn can agree with me when I say that Auburn University is one of the last places I would have ever expected something like this to happen. Auburn is my second home and one of the most peaceful places on Earth. I have to say that I am distgusted by the majority of the comments on this article. Why are you debating gun control and complaining about how another pretty white girl is in the headlines. This should be a time to honor Lauren and support and pray for her family. God bless the Burk family, friends on Lauren, and all of AU. War Eagle.

[pcucharlie]

There are many laws on the books regarding guns, specifically handguns, unfortunately they are not being enforced. Where I live it would take the sheriff almost 15 minutes to get to my house in an emergency like someone is breaking into my house there for that is why I own and will use a weapon. Let''s face it, in the event your house is broken into while you are at home, or you are accosted on the streets you will be dead or the victim of a serious crime LONG before the police get to you. If you take this to mean that I advocate vigilante or "frontier justice" you''re probably correct as far as my family is concerned.

[rudy654-2009]

Actually, an area of study that I have been involved in for some time is conflict resolution skills. I believe that our focus on people has to be in this area. A person who believes that he is justified to kill someone who, let''s say insults his mother, well, I would say that person shouldn''t have a gun.

[pcucharlie]

There are many laws on the books regarding guns, specifically handguns, unfortunately they are not being enforced. Where I live it would take the sheriff almost 15 minutes to get to my house in an emergency like someone is breaking into my house there for that is why I own and will use a weapon. Let''s face it, in the event your house is broken into while you are at home, or you are accosted on the streets you will be dead or the victim of a serious crime LONG before the police get to you. If you take this to mean that I advocate vigilante or "frontier justice" you''re probably correct as far as my family is concerned.

[ndg1979]

It is truly a shame - an insanely beautiful woman not even in the prime of her life, having her life cut short for evidently no reason. No reason at all! This truly digs deep into our society when people are this evil. There is an underlying problem that is causing this to become so widespread in America and you must ask yourself what it is and how do we stop it??? Next time it could be you or me!!!

I wish all you gun law nuts would actually comment on the story and not your personal viewpoints. If that was your sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, friend - whatever - would griping about gun laws really make you feel better? Imagine what her friends and family are going through and then tell me about your stinking viewpoints on guns. Your meager little bantering doesn''t mean jack!! Why do you even call yourselves Americans? Your pitiful complaints about how guns contributed to this girls death aren''t going to bring her back! Go pound salt gun nuts!