$2,000 Reward Offered For Information In Fatal Stabbing Of UMES Student
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (WJZ) -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is still reeling after a student was murdered on campus this weekend.
Derek Valcourt has more on the murdered student and the search for the killers.
Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.
The president of UMES has issued a statement, saying it was "heart wrenching" to inform the parents of a student that their son had been fatally stabbed on campus.
"We believe this was an isolated incident. But even given that, we are stepping up our security just to make sure that our students feel that they are in a safe environment," said UMES President Juliette Bell.
The university will hold a campus meeting Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. about the fatal stabbing. All are welcome, including students, professors, administration, community groups and leaders and local residents.
"Just like that he's gone," said Rhoda Boateng, victim's girlfriend.
Boateng grieves over the death of her boyfriend of nearly four years--21-year-old Edmond Aaron St. Clair. Murdered this weekend at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, the loss is especially painful because Boateng is eight months pregnant with St. Clair's baby girl.
"That's all I care about is his baby that he created. You know what it feels like to have to tell a baby that your father is gone because of careless behavior, because of nonsense?" Boateng said.
It happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday as St. Clair's cousin and younger brother came to visit him at school during the university's homecoming weekend.
Isiah St. Clair says as the three of them drove across campus to get food, they encountered a group of at least three other men in the street.
"I tried to tell them 'get out of the middle of the street' and after they started like talking all this other stuff and then my brother, like when he see danger about to happen, he put himself, like he made sure we safe so he went out," he said.
Edmond St. Clair was stabbed in the chest. Police are now looking for the killers.
"He died in my arms, man," said Isiah St. Clair. "And I saw the people, too, but it was like stay with my brother or go get them and I had to stay with my brother so I let them go."
"Investigators do not believe this was a random act. They believe this was something that occurred between the suspects and this individual, the victim. Specifically it was not a random act," said Greg Shipley, Maryland State Police.
St. Clair recorded music under the name "Trini Wes," and friends say his popularity on the Eastern Shore made him a target for jealously.
His girlfriend says though he liked to party, beneath his tough exterior was a brilliant mind with a 3.8 grade point average who one day planned to become a doctor. Now his family wants justice as they prepare for a future without him.
"Edmond did not just leave anything, he left his baby girl who will grow up and know how great her father was," Boateng said.
Police describe the suspects as three young African-American males in their late teens or early 20s.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barracks at 443-260-3700.
To be eligible for the $2,000 reward, call the Crime Solvers tips line at 410-548-1776.
Callers may remain anonymous.
