Megan Boken, Former St. Louis Volleyball Star, Murdered in Car
A former Saint Louis University volleyball player was fatally shot in the neck and chest while in her car on Saturday.
Megan Boken, 23, returned to her alma mater for an alumnae volleyball match when she was attacked. Police are still investigating the case, but have said that the murder may have been the result of an attempted robbery.
Based on witness accounts, police say the gunman may have been trying to rob Boken as she sat in her Volkswagen near the intersection of Maryland and Taylor Avenues in St. Louis's Central West End neighborhood.
Anne Kordes who coached Boken at the university, said that the former star athlete was two miles from the gym where the alumnae game took place and was on the phone with her mother. Around the time of the shooting, "the phone went static" and Boken's mother reported that "something weird happened."
When Boken failed to appear at the game scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, friends and family became worried.
"I think everybody was in a frantic mode wondering where she was," Kordes told The Chicago Tribune.
Authorities are still searching for the shooting suspect, who was described as an African-American male in his mid-20s, 5'8'' to 5'10'' and of thin build with a short haircut. Police also said that the motive is unknown, according to CBS.
Boken was taken to Barnes Jewish Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced her dead.
St. Louis University, as well as those close to Boken, were devastated by the news.
"We are shocked and saddened by this terrible and tragic loss," said the school in a statement. "Megan was a truly outstanding student-athlete who excelled in the classroom and on the court. She exemplified the very best of what it means to be a Saint Louis University Billiken. Our focus right now is on providing as much as support as we can for our students, and our thoughts and prayers are with Megan's family and friends during this very difficult time."
Boken had earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing at the school.