Hunt On For College Student's Killer

Police have interviewed "persons of interest" but no arrests have been made in the shooting death of an Auburn University female student earlier this week, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Freshman Lauren A. Burk was found fatally shot on a highway just before her car was discovered in flames on campus Tuesday night, several miles away.

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

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

"We have not named a suspect and are still investigating leads," Auburn police Capt. Tom Stofer said, adding that officials are remaining tightlipped because of the circumstances of Burk's death, reports the Journal Constitution.

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, also a first-year student, told the newspaper.

About 80 students, mostly sorority sisters, gathered early Wednesday evening for a vigil in the parking lot where Burk's car was found. Some were crying and carrying flowers to leave on the spot where her car was discovered. They linked arms and formed a circle, leaning on each other, reports the Birmingham News.

Jay Seyfried, a friend of Burk's from high school, told CBS News affiliate WMAZ-TV in Macon, Ga. that he still can't believe that one of his closest friends is gone.

"She was just one of the biggest sweethearts. Friendly to everyone, outstanding and she loved to laugh," he said.

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.

An Auburn judicial affairs official told the Atlanta Journal Constitution the university is setting up a memorial service on campus on Monday.