Christie shocked by death of NJIT student at frat house


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NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie says he was shocked by the shooting death of a New Jersey Institute of Technology student killed during a burglary at a fraternity house near the school.

Christie spoke Tuesday about Joseph Micalizzi's death after he toured an innovative learning facility that's being built on the school's campus in Newark.

Noting that his son will soon graduate from Princeton University, the Republican governor said the slaying was an "extraordinary tragedy" not only for the university's community "but also for us as a state and me as a father."

Micalizzi, 23, was killed early Monday at the Tau Kappa Epsilon house. The Freehold man was a member of the fraternity and a mechanical engineering major who was in his second year at NJIT after transferring from Brookdale Community College in Monmouth County. He had made the dean's list in the fall, NJIT President Joel Bloom said.

College years are "one of the most optimistic times of life," Christie said. "We never ever think that the conclusion of this experience would be anything other than a cap and gown and a diploma and a job and a career."

No arrests have been made in the shooting.

"The best tribute that we can give to the tragedy is to bring greater focus, greater success and greater happiness to the lives that remain," Christie said. "If we continue to do that, then we will be praising that family and their lost son who came here because he wanted that type of life."

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