A COLLEGE football star has been arrested over the death of a student found gunned down near Portland State University on Monday.
Keenan Harpole, 20, is said to have turned himself into cops after the body of 19-year-old Amara Marluke was found near dorms in the early hours.
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The incident is believed to have been domestic violence. It is not clear exactly how Harpole and Marluke knew each other.
Amara – who was studying music at the university – was described her loved ones as a “caring, beautiful” soul.
Her dad Bradley said: “To say that Amara was the light of our life, a beautiful and a caring soul would not begin to do her justice.”
He said he and his wife adopted Amara when she was nine after the youngster had a “rough” start.
Freshman Harpole – the ex running back for Portland State’s football squad – now faces charges including second-degree murder.
He was also hit with unlawful use of a weapon and domestic violence charges, police said.
Court records show no previous arrests or convictions in Oregon.
Paying tribute, Amara’s father told The Oregonian: “Her dedication to her family and friends was unwavering and that she would fall victim to a senseless and violent death is unimaginable.”
Portland State president Stephen Percy said: “My heart breaks for Amara’s family and for everyone who knew her.”
The death marked the city’s 26th homicide so far this year, according to The Oregonian.
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That’s one more than Portland had seen by this time last year, which set an all-time record for homicides in the city at 90.
Officials at PSU have offered counseling support to students.
They said they are “saddened to learn that the epidemic of deadly gun violence that has plagued so many cities has hit close to home.”
A GoFundMe for Amara’s family has raised more than $5,000 as of Wednesday.
It reads: “We mourn the loss of Amara Marluke, who was tragically murdered yesterday near Portland State University.”
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