In the wake of the first murder on UNCW’s campus, the campus community is shocked after another student, Christen Naujoks, 21, was killed at her apartment complex on June 4, 2004.

Within only a month of Jessica Faulkner’s tragic murder in Cornerstone Hall, Naujoks was shot and killed outside her North Chase Apartments building. John Peck, 27, was responsible for her shooting, according to New Hanover County Sheriff’s officials. Reports on Naujoks’ death state that Peck was upset with Naujoks after she ended their relationship.

According to an autopsy report, Naujoks was shot eight to 12 times.

Her death was followed by a three-day manhunt for Peck, who was finally spotted at the Tennessee/North Carolina line. After a park ranger made contact with him and reported the occurrence, roadblocks were set up. Later, Peck approached one of the roadblocks. He then fired shots at officers and gunfire was returned. Rangers and officers pursued Peck, but then his lights disappeared. They were able to verify that Peck’s vehicle had rolled down a steep ravine and rested in a creek. Peck had been reported to have an SKS assault rifle in his possession. It was later confirmed that he had committed suicide before his vehicle rolled off the ravine, a report from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park stated.

UNCW Chief of Police David Donaldson provided a chronology of events prior to Naujoks’ death in a press conference on June 8.

On March 21, UNCW Police spoke with Holly Naujoks, Naujoks’ mother, who expressed concerns she had with respect to her daughter’s domestic relationship with Peck. Police requested that her daughter visit the UNCW Police department, and Naujoks did the same day.

Naujoks was not sure if she wanted to seek formal action against Peck at that time, but reported that she had received harassing phone calls at her residence, and that Peck had threatened to commit suicide. Because Naujoks lived off campus and was beyond the jurisdiction of the UNCW Police Department, she was encouraged to file a report with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department. She was also encouraged to save any messages she received from Peck and was informed of her options of obtaining warrants and protective orders.

Throughout the following weeks, Naujoks reported a confrontation in a parking lot on campus, and obtained an emergency protective order and warrants. After the order was made permanent, Naujoks visited the UNCW Police Department and requested that the detective she had spoken with on March 22 appear in court with her. The detective described her appearance as much more at ease when compared to his observations of her on March 22.

Though this is the second death of a UNCW student within a month, some students do not feel like their safety has been threatened by the two events.

“I still feel safe; it’s less of a matter of safety and more of a matter of an accident, to me. I feel like it’s an isolated event. I’ll still walk to my car by myself at night,” said senior Danielle Morlier.

Nevertheless, Donaldson had some tips for staying safe on campus. He stresses that awareness is the key to prevention.

“First, admit that there is a possibility [even that someone you know can commit a crime against you].” Then. look for warning signs. “Maybe it’s the relationship that’s on the downhill, one of the two is trying to end that relationship and one is not letting go … Trust your intuition,” advises Donaldson. “There are a lot of times where the victim knew something was wrong.”