The University of Texas at Austin community continues to mourn the loss of one of its own. A week after the murder of 18-year-old Haruka Weiser, her fellow students are still trying to make sense of what happened. Our Stef Manisero shows us how those on campus are finding strength together.
AUSTIN, Texas -- Tragedy has an interesting way of turning strangers into family.
On Monday, UT students retraced Weiser's steps on campus during a memorial walk. Starting, like Weiser did, at the Winship Drama Building, down the same path she took the night she was killed.
"I almost started choking up because I almost tried to imagine her in that situation, like those being her last moments," said UT freshman Pearl Xie.
The walk ended at a statue-turned-memorial above Waller Creek, where Wesier's body was found.
"It's especially unbelievable because I lived just down the road at SanJac, and I take this route all the time," said Xie.
"It was very clear that she had such a bright future here, and to see it cut so senselessly short is very painful," said UT senior Alex Zhang.
Zhang said despite the suffering, it's important not to gloss over the details -- specifically, the background of the homeless teenager charged in Weiser's death.
"He was homeless. He was in foster care. He faced highly abusive adoption parents," said Zhang.
Zhang said he's looking for big changes in the system.
"I feel like the best way to celebrate her life is to ensure that something like this does not happen again," he added.
Neither Xie nor Zhang knew Weiser personally, but both say her death hits very close to home.
"That could have been me -- that could have been anyone walking, just in the wrong time at the wrong place," Xie said.
Both said they feel as if she were family.
An arrest has been made in the case.
Austin police arrested 17-year-old Meechaiel Criner, and charged him with first-degree murder in the slaying of Weiser.
The arrest came less than 24 hours after police asked for help from the public. Criner is being held on $1 million bond.
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At a briefing on Friday, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said the homeless teen had Weiser's duffel bag with him when he was taken into custody, and may have tried burning her belongings earlier in the week.
The university has also asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to review campus security and make suggestions for improvements.
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