Father of slain Duke student says daughter was friends with alleged killer
A man has been arrested and charged for a shooting that killed Duke grad student Angela Risi in Durham on Monday.
Durham police arrested 30-year-old Stephon Dubose and charged him with murder and attempted first-degree murder on Thursday.
On Friday, a judge appointed Dubose with a public defender. Dubose does not have a bond, and he is due to appear next in court on Oct. 26 for a probable cause hearing.
In a phone interview with WRAL News, Angela's dad, Matt Risi, said the update gave their family some relief but no less clarity.
"We can't even imagine what transpired or what the motive was," her father said.
Matt said his 30-year-old daughter knew the suspect personally and considered Dubose a friend. In July, the suspect helped her move into Duke, where a family member had the chance to meet him.
"He was a nice enough guy and seemed you know normal, and actually he was helpful to Angela," Matt said.
According to Angela's dad, the suspect went by "Jimmy."
Neighbors said they saw several police cars by the home earlier in the week.
"It's a kind of eerie feeling because you don't want anyone in the community to be carrying out such acts," a neighbor said. "It makes you a little bit phobic for your family and yourself."
Matt said his daughter was a passionate, energetic and outgoing person who was loved by so many.
"She befriended a lot of people, and most of the time that's a good thing," Matt said.
At 7:18 a.m. on Monday, police officers responded to the 1000 block of Worth Street, between Belt and Elm Streets.
When officers arrived, they found two women who had been shot. Both women were transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Angela was a second year graduate student in the Master of Fine Arts in Dance program at Duke. She previously spent five years in Chicago, working in the humanities department, before coming to Durham.
Her colleagues in Chicago said she was a joy to work with and had a passion for music. They described her as energetic, smart and positive.
Her father said Angela had wide-ranging interests, including ballet, creative dance and sports. Angela had three brothers.
"This is tragic that this happened," Matt said. "She was thrilled to be there at Duke."
Counselors at Duke are providing support to members of the dance program and anyone else struggling with Angela's death.
The other woman hurt in the shooting is in stable condition, according to police. An arrest warrant states Anna Semmes was the woman hurt in the shooting.
Investigators said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident.
As Sky 5 flew over the scene, at least five or six police cruisers were visibly blocking the neighborhood street.
Yellow police tape was also stretched across the road near Bull City Barber College, and several officers were standing in the roadway.
Durham Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman was at the scene and spoke to WRAL News.
"This is a pretty established neighborhood... We know each other pretty well," Freeman said. "These were newer neighbors who we were getting to know, so it's unfortunate."
Dubose is being held in the Durham County Jail.
Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to call Investigator J. Harris at 919-560-4440 ext. 29120 or Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200.
Angela's brother, Anthony Risi, set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and other expenses. You can donate here.
