Tough year for UT students

TAMPA - The University of Tampa is struggling to get through what has already proven to be a difficult school year just three months in.

Students arriving to campus in August were immediately faced with the homicide of senior Ryan McCall. The 21-year-old cross-country runner was gunned down by an armed robber on North Boulevard, not far from campus.

Now, students are reeling from the sudden death of another popular student, junior Erik Nicoletti. A hit and run driver struck Nicoletti and his friend Cree Riley Saturday morning on West Kennedy near North Boulevard. Nicoletti, Riley, and a third friend were crossing the street. Riley, who was visiting from Pennsylvania, sustained critical injuries. Nicoletti, a New York state native, died Monday.

"Everybody who've I talked to, I think they're just in shock. They can't believe that it actually happened," student Alexandra Ettis told FOX 13.

Less than 24 hours after Nicoletti's death, a car carrying three UT students slammed into a residential wall on Davis Island. Paramedics rushed all three students to the hospital. Sophomore Michelle Samm suffered critical injuries, which police early Tuesday described as life threatening.

An e-mail went out to students Tuesday reminding them that counselors are always available. The campus counseling center has seen an increase in the number of students seeking help from mental professionals.

"It's really been a lot in a short amount of time to deal with," Counselor Yvonne Rodriguez said. She says it's been a tough year for students who see UT as small and safe. "When these things happen, it's very shocking to them, very upsetting, and very traumatizing."

Rodriguez said every student she counseled Tuesday needed to talk about Nicoletti's death. At a candlelight vigil for him Monday, many students broke down in tears. "I think a lot of students are experiencing some anger about what happened and not quite understanding why something so horrible would happen to such a good person," said Rodriguez.

There are feelings of anger and also fear. Junior Michael Rosario tells FOX 13 he knows students who want weapons. "Just to be safe and protected. They want to hold on to something that makes them feel more secure," said Rosario.

After such a troublesome past three months, many students are relieved to head home for Thanksgiving break. "I was sad to go home, but now I'm just, like, I need a break," freshman Molly Knapp told FOX 13, as she waited for a ride to the airport from campus. Knapp will spend the holiday with family on Long Island, NY.

Rodriguez said she spoke to one student who was friends with both McCall and Nicoletti. Traumatized, that student considered whether to return to UT at all after Thanksgiving, according to Rodriguez.

Police arrested the driver involved in Saturday's deadly crash. Riley remains hospitalized. Meanwhile, Samms is also still in the hospital. Police say they are investigating whether the driver of the car Samms was riding in, Michael Fernand, used drugs or alcohol before getting behind the wheel.