WASHINGTON (JTA) – Police arrested a man who allegedly killed a Jewish Wesleyan University student and whom they suspected was targeting Jews.
A judge on Thursday set bail for $10 million after Stephen Morgan, 29, was charged in Wednesday’s murder of Johanna Justin-Jinich in the Middletown, Conn., bookstore where she worked. He allegedly shot her to death.
Justin-Jinich, 21,who according to The New York Times was Jewish, and Morgan were both from Colorado, although it is not clear if they knew each other before they met in 2007 at a New York University summer course.
Police reportedly found a laptop and diaries in Morgan’s vehicle detailing his obsession with Justin-Jinich and with Jews. Jewish services in the area of the university shut down while Morgan was on the loose.
Morgan reportedly had harassed Justin-Jinich during and after the summer course. She filed a complaint and later withdrew it.
A statement from Wesleyan said Morgan had no connection with the school.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.