One slain USC student was shot in head, police say
Ying Wu and Ming Qu, both 23-year-old electrical engineering graduate students from China, are believed to have been talking inside a car after a late-night study session when they were approached by the killer. Both were found fatally shot:
Shortly before the attack, Qu double-parked his BMW outside the home where Wu rented a room. She came outside, sources said, and the two were believed to be sitting in the car talking when the killer either walked or drove up to the car about 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Police are examining robbery as a possible motive in the case, but emphasized that it is very early in the investigation.
Wu was shot once in the chest. Qu was shot multiple times, including a gunshot wound to the head, police said. At some point, Qu got out of the car and attempted to get help. He collapsed on a nearby porch before being able to get help.
Both victims were pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Homicide detectives are working on a motive, but it's possible that the double murder may have resulted from a car-jacking gone wrong. I know from experience that the area surrounding USC can get pretty dangerous late at night, but this is still pretty shocking. More here: Ying Wu and Ming Qu, USC Grad Students From China, Identified as Shooting Victims.