Murdered Student is Nephew of Md. Rep. Elijah Cummings

An ODU junior from Woodbrige, Va was killed in an off-campus apartment

A nephew of Rep. Elijah Cummings was found murdered in his off-campus apartment near Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Friday.

Police responded to a report of gunfire at the 800 block of West 42nd Street at 4:46 a.m.

Christopher Cummings, 20, and his roommate were found with gunshot wounds. Cummings died from his injuries. The roommate was transported to a nearby hospital with life threatening injuries.

Rep. Cummings told NBC Washington that police believe that shooting was a random act.

"This was a guy that was just a good kid," Rep. Cummings said.  "He was the kind of kid that people would say, I wish I had him for a son, or a son-in-law."

Cummings was majoring in criminial science at ODU, where he held a 3.7 grade point average.  Neighbors said that Cummings had dreamed of becoming an attorney, like his uncle.

"He was a very personable, polite young man," said family friend Patty Rooney, "he had wisdom beyond his years."

In the neighborhood where Cummings was living, several other ODU students have been the targets of crime over the past few months.  The university increased security this week both on and off campus.

Police are still seeking a suspect in the crime.

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