Adventist Student, kidnapped and killed.

[Stan]

May 30, 2011 - Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico...IAD Staff

A Montemorelos University student was shot and killed minutes away from the campus yesterday. The shooting happened hours after the Seventh-day Adventist institution celebrated its 68th graduation ceremony.

Yoselin L. Perez Ramirez, 20, a second-year communications major, died of gunshot wounds after an attempted kidnapping. According to authorities, Perez and a friend were walking into a store at approximately 8:30 p.m. yesterday when they were approached and threatened. They ran away and her friend, whose name has not been released for security reasons, escaped. However, Perez was later tracked down and shot. She was about to return to her home in Oaxaca for the summer, according to a statement made by Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University.

"This is a very sad and unfortunate situation," said Castillo in an email to staff and faculty hours after the news broke out. "Our university community mourns the loss of our student. We cling to Jesus' promise in the Bible that ‘I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live." (John 11:25)'."

SOURCE

Salvador Sepulveda, secretary of public security for the city of Montemorelos, said the investigation into the murder is ongoing.

"Everything points to what could be a mistaken identity," he said.

Perez, who was a dorm student, was baptized during a week of prayer held at the university last November. University leaders are making arrangements with municipal and government officials to transport her body to her parents, who work at an Adventist school in Oaxaca.

A memorial service for Perez was held earlier today on campus.

"We will always remember her for her good humor, bright smile and friendship, among her beautiful qualities," stated Castillo.

"Amid the current violence that threatens our country, we are convinced that through education, our institution contributes not only to the intellectual development but promotes peace and harmony to families and society," stated Castillo.

Benjamin Garcia contributed to this report.

For more information, visit www.um.edu.mx

[Parade Orange]

this is just so sad

im glad her friends and family can hold onto HOPE thru this aweful time

[Nan]

Every parent's worst nightmare...my prayers are with her family.

[Dr. Shane]

This school is just a couple hours from where I live. There is a lot of violence throughout all of northern Mexico. It is being reported that the violence is diminishing as the authorities have locked up many cartel members and leaders and continue to do so. However we are still being advised not to go into northern Mexico.

The story says it was probably mistaken identity. Many American students go to Montemorelos. The kidnappers probably thought she was an American and could be held for ransom. My wife and I have already decided to send our kids to Costa Rica if the violence is still an issue when they reach university age. It would be nice to have them down the road at Montemorelos so they could come home on the weekend but being Americans they would be targets in times like this.

Too bad. That is such a beautiful part of the country and Montemorelos is such a spiritual place. We miss being able to retreat down there on the weekend.