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A UK Student Dies After Being Shot Near Campus, Suspect Charged

The photo editor of the student run newspaper at the University of Kentucky was shot and killed early this morning.

Police say 22-year old Jonathan Krueger was killed just after 2:00 this morning after being shot during what appeared to be an attempted robbery.  Officers responded to a shots fired call at the 400 block of East Maxwell Street near Transylvania Park.  Lieutenant Clay Combs with the Lexington Police Department says Krueger was found lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds, he was transported to the UK Hospital where he died of a chest wound.  A friend who was with Krueger escaped and was able to get help.  UK President Eli Capilouto notified the campus community Friday through e-mail that reads:

Campus Community,

“I am deeply saddened to report that a member of our University of Kentucky family was tragically killed in a shooting incident early this morning.  Jonathan Krueger, a 22-year-old junior in the College of Communication and Information, was killed early this morning while walking home in a neighborhood near campus. We have learned that Lexington Police have apprehended two persons of interest in the shooting death.

At this time, we all want to extend our deepest sympathies to Jonathan's family, friends, faculty members and fellow students. We have reached out to his family to let them know that we are there for them as well. 

For those of you on our campus who are understandably shaken by this tragedy, counseling services are available. Please contact the University of Kentucky Counseling Center at 859-257-8701 and ask for the day-time on-call staff member. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to this resource that is available to you.

We don’t know a lot of details at this time as an investigation is ongoing. The shooting occurred in the area of Maxwell Street and Transylvania Park.  Although the location is off campus, it is a stark reminder that all members of our campus community should be vigilant about their safety and those of others around them, at all times. We are all, in an important sense, responsible for, and accountable to, each other.   It is also in times like this that we are reminded of how fragile and precious life is. I know you will join me, as part of our UK family, in keeping Jonathan’s family, loved ones and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Eli Capilouto

President

Krueger, who just turned 22 last week, was a junior at UK and a photographer and editor with the Kentucky Kernel newspaper.

Update 12:30 PM: Lexington police have apprehended and charged 18-year-old Justin Smith with Krueger's murder. Other charges include robbery, tampering with evidence, and fleeing and evading.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.