A Temple University student has been charged with killing a fellow student over the weekend in an apparent act of domestic violence, authorities said.
First responders were called for a medical emergency at around 4 a.m. Saturday to the 1400 block of Willington Street, near the college’s main campus in North Philadelphia, according to police.
They found 20-year-old Milan Jones on the second floor of the house suffering from suspected blunt force trauma, investigators said. Medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.
Tymir Lackey, 21, was apprehended immediately, and court records show he has been charged with murder, reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence.
Jones, who grew up in Philadelphia, was preparing to start her junior year this fall and was enrolled in the nursing program in Temple’s College of Public Health, university leaders said in a message to students and staff Sunday.
“She enjoyed helping and caring for others, and her decision to pursue a career in nursing reflects just that,” Temple President Richard Englert, Vice President and Provost Gregory Mandel and Public Health Dean Jennifer Ibrahim wrote. “There is no doubt that she had a very bright future ahead of her, which makes delivering this news especially difficult.”
Lackey was immediately suspended by the university, the administrators said.
Students who need support can go to the Tuttleman Counseling Services website or call 215-204-7276, according to the message. Faculty and staff can access Temple’s employee assistance program or call 1-888-267-8126.
Court documents indicate that Lackey was jailed without bail, as is typical in murder cases. His legal counsel could not be identified Sunday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 8.
