Temple University Student Falls 8 Floors, Lands On Pedestrian, Dies
By Todd Quinones
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The boots of the victim lying on the sidewalk were a stark reminder of the tragedy that unfolded in Center City.
An 18-year-old freshman at Temple University fell to her death from an 8th floor window Thursday night.
The victim has been identified by Temple University as Rebecca Kim.
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"She may have even been sitting on the ledge, it's about a two foot wide ledge, possibly taking some pictures," Philadelphia Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
It's believed Kim may have slipped as she was going back inside.
Kim was visiting two friends at an Art Institute of Philadelphia dorm room when she fell just before 6 p.m. at the 1500 block of Chestnut Street.
Both of the male students the victim was visiting were questioned by police.
Kim hit a 44-year-old woman, who was walking on the 16th Street sidewalk. The pedestrian was rushed to Hahnemann University Hospital. She suffered fracture vertebrae in her neck and had some teeth knocked out, but is expected to be okay.
"The 44-year-old female, she was conscious, she was talking, she was very upset and she was complaining of pain," Small said.
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A statement released by Temple University Friday morning read in part:
"It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Rebecca Kim, a first-year student in the College of Science and Technology. Ms. Kim died Thursday evening in a fall from a Center City building. Ms. Kim started at Temple last August, was a resident of Johnson Hall and was enrolled in the pre-pharmacy program. She was 18 years old.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends."
A grief counselor was at the school Friday.
Police were obtaining a search warrant to look inside the dorm room. As of right now, there is no evidence to suggest foul play or suicide, but the investigation is ongoing.
CBS3's Jan Carabeo contributed to this story.
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