A letter to the USC community

Dear USC students, faculty and staff:

Many of you have heard or read about the tragic event that occurred early this morning in the neighborhood west of campus. Two of our graduate students, Ying Wu and Ming Qu, were shot and killed while sitting in a car on Raymond Avenue – near the intersection of Normandie Avenue and Adams Boulevard. Both Ms. Wu and Mr. Qu are from China and were studying electrical engineering.

Our community is saddened and outraged by this callous and meaningless act. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims’ families and friends and all who knew them at USC. The university is reaching out to those affected, offering counseling and support.

The Los Angeles Police Department and our Department of Public Safety are working aggressively to solve this crime.

This incident occurred outside the neighborhood areas where over the past several years we have steadily increased our security presence, adding dozens of security and license plate recognition cameras, uniformed officers, and yellow-jacketed security ambassadors. However, tragedies such as this morning’s remind us that we all need to be continuously vigilant about safety and security.

While crime in our community is low compared to other areas of Los Angeles, we want to reassure you about ongoing efforts to promote safety in the neighborhoods around campus, including a public safety task force for students, parents, faculty and staff; a community safety task force with the USC Family of Schools; and a collaboration on public safety issues between the Department of Public Safety and the area’s neighborhood councils. These efforts, among others, have succeeded in significantly improving safety in our surrounding community.

Finally, we urge anyone who would like counseling or other support to contact Student Affairs at (213) 740-2421 or Student Counseling Services at (213) 740-7711. Other important resources include Trojans Care for Trojans, at sait.usc.edu/ca/tc4t/, and for faculty and staff needing assistance, the USC Center for Work and Family Life at (213) 821-0800.  Chaplaincy services are also available through the Office of Religious Life at (213) 740-6110.

We will provide more information as we receive it on planned remembrances for our students.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Trojan Family.

Todd Dickey
Senior Vice President, Administration

Michael L. Jackson
Vice President, Student Affairs