The following message from President Michael Hogan was sent to all UConn students, faculty, and staff on Sunday, May 2 following the death of UConn student Jafar Karzoun Saturday afternoon at Hartford Hospital.
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the death of one of our students. Jafar B. Karzoun died Saturday at Hartford Hospital from injuries he suffered a week ago Friday morning on North Eagleville Road. Jafar was a junior from Milford, Conn., who lived here on campus. He was 20 years old.
His death is heartbreaking for his family, friends, classmates, and our entire University. I know each of us shares a sense of shock in the face of this tragedy. The pain that comes from seeing a young and promising life ended is profound, particularly for anyone who is a parent, and especially for those who knew and loved Jafar.
It is only natural to wonder where we go from here.
The state police have arrested an individual whom they believe is responsible for the assault that resulted in Jafar’s death. We will continue to do everything we can to assist the police in their investigation, and I urge anyone with information to contact the UConn police or state police.
Beyond that, let each of us reflect on Jafar, his life and his death. Let us do all we can to see to it that violence and cruelty are banished from our lives and our community. Let us reflect on the fragile nature of life and examine how we conduct ourselves and how we treat others. Let us see to it that grief is not the only thing to come from Jafar’s death. In ways large and small, we can rededicate ourselves to bringing light into our small corner of the world – helping, protecting, and caring for one another in his memory.
We have been in touch with Jafar’s family throughout his hospitalization, and the University will do whatever we can for them. Students should know that UConn’s Counseling Services office is open and available for those who want to talk to someone or work through their grief with a professional. You can reach them at 860-486-4705 or visit their offices, located behind the Student Health Services building.
That this terrible tragedy coincided with Spring Weekend and subsequent to an off-campus gathering at Carriage House Apartments should cause us all to pause and consider how these unsponsored events may contribute to aggression and risk. As in every recent year, we will re-examine all aspects of Spring Weekend and how they might contribute to such situations. Yet we also know that violence does not respect boundaries of time and space and can occur without warning, in even the safest of places. I wish that UConn could be immune from the crimes that affect every community at one time or another, but we are not. In this time of mourning, I ask that we make an extra effort to look after one another and to let others know how much we value them as friends, family, and members of our community.
There will be much time devoted to looking inward, but in the coming days, we will concentrate on remembering Jafar, celebrating his life, and trying to ensure that some good can emerge from this painful loss. We will, as always, do so together.
