Inkster Woman Dies, Man Shot Over Dorm Room Dispute In Florida; Alleged Gunman Reportedly Hangs Himself
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WWJ/AP) - Officials in Florida say dispute over rent led to the deaths of two Bethune-Cookman University students, one who is a Michigan-native.
Timesha Carswell, of Inkster, and her roommate Diona McDonald were killed Thursday in the shooting. A third roommate -- Micah Parham, also of Inkster -- was critically injured in the shooting, and police said a fourth student escaped injury by jumping out a window after struggling with the alleged gunman -- 27-year-old York Bodden.
Since being arrested Friday for the murder, the Orlando Sentinel reports that Bodden has hanged himself inside his Miami jail cell.
Police Chief Mike Chitwood said Bodden had been the victims' roommates, but they wanted him to leave and offered to refund him $200. Bodden argued with them, left the apartment, then returned with a gun, he said.
Bodden shot the two women in the head, then shot at Parham several times, striking him in the face and shoulder, Chitwood said.
"He basically assassinated the young ladies, shooting them at point-blank range," Chitwood said.
The fourth friend was not injured and has spoken with investigators.
Bodden was arrested Friday in North Miami, said Gretl Plessinger, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He's facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault, and is being held at the North Miami Police Department.
There have been several Bethune-Cookman students wounded in shootings on and off campus in the last seven months, but Thursday's victims were the first fatalities. McDonald and Carswell were both music majors at the school.
McDonald, Carswell and Parham, a former Bethune-Cookman student, had just moved into the two-bedroom unit with Bodden a week ago. Chitwood said they asked another friend to help them confront Bodden.
Carswell and Parham are both from Inkster, Michigan. McDonald's father also lives in Michigan.
University officials have offered grief counseling, and a private vigil was held on campus Friday afternoon.
"This is a very unfortunate incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the families, loved ones and fellow classmates of these students," university spokeswoman Keisha Boyd said in a statement.
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