Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings' nephew murdered near Old Dominion University

(CBS/WJZ/AP) BALTIMORE - Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings' nephew Christopher Cummings was killed and his roommate critically injured in what the congressman described in a statement Sunday as a random shooting at their off-campus apartment near Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Christopher Cummings, 20, and Jake Carey, were attacked Friday morning. Carey crawled across the street for help, injured so badly he couldn't speak. Christopher died shortly after 5 a.m. Friday at the scene, said police in Norfolk, Va.

In a statement, the congressman said, "Christopher was an amazing young man who was loved and admired by so many people who had the honor of knowing him. An exceptional student with a 3.5 GPA, he had ambitious plans for his future after graduating from Old Dominion," reports CBS station WJZ.

ODU President John Broderick wrote a letter posted Saturday on the university's website, in which he expressed his condolences and discussed campus security efforts. 

"We will also continue to urge city officials and landlords on additional safety measures for the off-campus neighborhood where this and other crimes occurred this semester," Broderick said in the letter.

Over the past few months, a number of other students in the area have been the victims of robberies, reports the station.

On Saturday, about 80 people attended a candlelight vigil organized by Christopher's fraternity in his memory.

"He was really outgoing," said one friend, reports WJZ. "He loved to meet new people, very nice."

Congressman Cummings is urging witnesses to come forward.