The 20-year-old UConn student beaten during Spring Weekend has died.
Jafar Karzoun, of Milford, spent more than a week at Hartford Hospital before succumbing to his injuries Saturday.
Karzoun, a junior at UConn, was found unconscious outside a Storrs restaurant on April 23. He was flown by Life Star to Hartford Hospital with severe head injuries.
"I know each of us shares a sense of shock in the face of this tragedy", UConn President Michael Hogan said in a statement on Sunday. "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."
A memorial service was held on Sunday at the Islamic Center of Connecticut in Windsor and many of his high school classmates from Milford attended, to remember the young man who they said could always make people smile.
Police charged Edi Rapo, 19, of East Hartford, with second degree assault in connection with the incident last week. He is not a UConn student.
Karzoun's death raises the possibility that police will now seek more serious charges against Rapo.
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The incident took place on the first night of UConn's Spring Weekend. Police say the altercation between Rapo and Karzoun was fueled by alcohol.
Hogan asked students to re-examine the yearly ritual that often ends in violence and arrests. "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", Hogan said in the statement.
He said the university will look at all aspects of Spring Weekend and how they may contribute to situations like the only that ended with Karzoun's death.
Some students are urging University officials to cancel Spring Weekend altogether. The Facebook group "End Spring Weekend" has more than 360 members.
"There's a history of assault and violence and destruction, which I think was clearly leading up to an event like this, and I feel like it's our responsibility to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again," said Nicholas Tuzzio, the group's creator.
Other students want to see the tradition of Spring Weekend continue, but want it limited to UConn students.
"If there was a way maybe we could cut down on students who don't go to UConn coming to Spring Weekend, I think that might be the best way to go about doing it," said Alan Rickard, a UConn junior.
