On April 11, Ying Wu and Ming Qu were gunned down on the 2700 block of Raymond Avenue near campus. Though the motive for their killings remains under investigation, police said evidence points to a street robbery.
Wu and Qu were both graduate students at USC from China studying electrical engineering.
Friday, police arrested 19-year-old Javier Bolden and 20-year-old Bryan Barnes. Investigators said evidence linked the two suspected gang members to the murders, and authorities believe they may be responsible for other attempted homicides.
The incident sent shockwaves throughout the campus and put many students on edge. But after the arrests, students say they feel safer.
"It's so much worse if stuff like this happens and then nothing comes of it. So, if these are in fact the guys who were responsible, I think a lot of students will be relieved - that the LAPD can actually do something about it," said USC student Katrina Hite.
USC President C.L. Max Nikias released the following statement after the news of the arrests:
"On behalf of the entire Trojan Family, I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and the talented and hardworking team of LAPD investigators. They shared our outrage at this senseless and singular act and worked passionately to reach a resolution. The arrest of the suspects in the tragic deaths of our graduate students, Ying Wu and Ming Qu, begins the process of healing and of closing a painful chapter in the life of our community. We will always mourn the loss of Ying and Ming, but find comfort in the hope of achieving justice."
This week, Wu and Qu's parents filed a lawsuit against USC, accusing the school of misrepresenting safety at the campus.
