Security stepped up after killing of NJIT student at frat house in Newark

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Authorities in Newark say security will be stepped up following the shooting death of a New Jersey Institute of Technology student killed during a burglary at a fraternity house near the school.

Newark police met with the Chiefs of the Rutgers and the NJIT police Departments and members of their staffs and said they had agreed to work together to increase police visibility in the city's University Heights area and the neighboring communities.

Meanwhile, Gov. Chris Christie says he was shocked by the shooting.

Christie spoke Tuesday about Joseph Micalizzi's death after he toured an innovative learning facility that's being built on the school's campus in Newark.

The Republican governor called the slaying an "extraordinary tragedy" not only for the university's community "but for us as a state and me as a father."

The 23-year-old Freehold man was killed early Monday at the Tau Kappa Epsilon house.

Micalizzi was a member of the fraternity and a mechanical engineering major who was in his second year at NJIT after transferring from Brookdale Community College in Monmouth County.

A vigil was held in the Micalizzi's honor at NJIT Tuesday night.

No arrests have been made.

Investigators say two men went into the back door of the frat house and up to the third-floor room where the 23-year-old Micalizzi, a dean's list student, was already awake studying for finals.

"In cold blood because he wouldn't give up some cell phone or laptop, he was killed," said NJIT President Joel Bloom.

Addressing the deadly robbery came first for Christie and Bloom during a previously scheduled campus visit.

"Condolences are not enough. I'm a father of four, there can never be enough condolences that can be given to a mother or a father who lose their child. It's the most unnatural thing that could happen," said the governor.

Eyewitness News has learned this was the third robbery at the TKE house on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Central Avenue in Newark, a house turned crime scene still being guarded Tuesday by NJIT police.

Sources say a white car towed away Monday belonged to Micalizzi.

"We've moved all the students out obviously, it's an active crime scene. They're all living in one of our residence halls. We supplied them with clothing as much of their clothing is embargoed in the house," said Bloom.

On top of that, students who live and commute to the university will see more officers on the street.

A joint statement by NJIT, Rutgers and Newark police reads in part, "We have vowed to increase joint patrols and to engage in other cooperative high visibility operations."

"So we're just going to step it up a bit. We're going to continue to invest in the technology and additional police officers," said Bloom.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)