Manhunt For Killer Of Slain Monmouth County Man Murdered At College

A manhunt is underway for the killer of a N.J. college student who was shot during a robbery at a fraternity house, authorities said.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office confirmed Tuesday that a manhunt is underway for the killer of a 23-year-old New Jersey man who reportedly attempted to fight off the robbery before his death.

Kathy Carter, a spokesman for the prosecutor, would not provide specific information on the investigation, and would not discuss if her office is looking for more than one person.

Joseph Micalizzi, 23, of Freehold, a student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, was shot Monday in a TKE fraternity house located in the 300 block of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard in Newark.

Micalizzi was inside the Tau Kappa Epsilon house when the intruders entered through a rear door; after a struggle, they fired multiple shots, hitting Micalizzi in the hand and head, according to nj.com.

Tributes were set up for Micalizzi, who had transferred from Brookdale and was a beloved member of the TKE fraternity. Some of his Facebook friends changed their profile photos to the TKE symbol as a tribute.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on the Lower Green Tuesday at NJIT.

Read more: UPDATE: Fatal Victim ID'd In New Jersey College Fraternity House Shooting

The shooting occurred at approximately 3:22 a.m. Monday. The victim was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:02 a.m.

NJIT is offering an award of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.

Shots rang out sometime 3:22 a.m. at the Tau Kappa Epsilon frat house on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard in Newark, according to authorities.

Streets surrounding the TKE house were blocked off and crime scene tape stretched across the street in front of the frat house, which is part of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, according to NBC 4 New York.

EMS transported one victim to University Hospital, who was reportedly in grave condition immediately after the incident, according to authorities.

Authorities are searching for three men who were seen fleeing the seen immediately after the shooting, according to the authorities.

Counseling will be made available to all students, faculty and staff, according to the school.

The school's president, Joel Bloom, released a statement on the matter:

I am saddened to inform you that the student shot early this morning during a burglary has died. This is a tragic time for the student's family, friends and the entire NJIT campus and we extend our thoughts and prayers to all affected....There is no imminent threat to NJIT’s campus at this time and this tragedy is being investigated by the Essex County prosecutor’s office, Newark and NJIT police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4-EC or 1-877-847-7432.

This was the second college death in New Jersey over the past month, and the second in Newark. Rutgers University released a statement Monday saying that it doesn't believe any of its students are involved in the latest incident.

A 25-year-old New Jersey man was charged last month with the murder of a Rutgers University student who was shot and killed in Newark, according to authorities.

Marcus Feliz, 25, of Newark has been charged with the murder of Shani Patel, a 21-year-old Rutgers-Newark student from Toms River, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Feliz was into custody and charged with murder, felony murder and robbery. Bail has been set at $750,000 by state Superior Court Judge Michael Nelson, according to the ECPO.