Many Creighton students have been concerned about the increase in local violence and some have been impacted directly.

Bryn Haddix, 25, discovered the body of Tari Glinsmann at 52nd and Leavenworth Streets on the evening of Nov. 12. Glinsmann worked at the convenience store near the intersection.

Erin Eppenbaugh, Arts & Sciences junior, is Haddix’s roommate.

A 15-year-old accused in the murder of Glinsmann was denied bond during his first court appearance Wednesday morning.

Juan Castaneda, the accused, was arrested earlier this year for having a stolen firearm, will be tried as an adult on the charge of first-degree murder.

Castaneda’s palm print was found on the victim’s car, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office said, and there is believed to be another suspect involved in the incident.

Eppenbaugh said Haddix woke her up early Thursday morning after she found the victim and police had finished questioning her.

“She obviously handled it pretty well, but she was really shaken up,” Eppenbaugh said. “I always felt like our neighborhood was pretty safe.”

Rebecca Murray, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, said students should not look at the shooting as a random incident or the “product of a deranged, crazy mind.” Instead, it should be looked at as a broader community health issue.

“The worst thing Creighton can do is pull into itself and isolate itself from the community,” she said. “This is a great opportunity for Creighton students to find out about the larger problems going on in the community.”

Murray said the increase in violence can be attributed to the economic downturn.

“It says something about crime being related to the economy,” she said.

Eppenbaugh said she and her roommates have become more conscious of their safety, but she still feels comfortable in her neighborhood.

“We’re making sure our doors are locked now,” she said.

“It casts kind of a shadow on being here, but I feel safe. There are shootings everywhere now.”

Michael Pecha, public information officer for the Omaha Police Department, said students should call Public Safety if they are feeling threatened on campus.

Off-campus, students should be aware of their surroundings and understand that property can be replaced in the event of a burglary.

“It’s not worth putting your own life in danger,” he said

Murray said students and community members shouldn’t rely on police protection to solve the problem.

While police patrolling is important, Murray said the community health issue is mainly what needs to be dealt with.

She encouraged students to get involved in local programs like their Neighborhood Association or Destination Midtown.

“Students can get involved and really feel like they are doing something about it [the violence],” she said.

Murray explained that students who take action will feel empowered.

“It spurs fear, which in turn spurs more crime,” she said. “You don’t feel like you have control over it. Students are members of the community while they are here, and they have a right to respond.”

For students who are considering a school change because of the recent violence, Murray suggested students look at why they originally chose to attend a Jesuit university.

“No campus is fool-proof,” she said.

“It’s a little naive to me to say I want my student to get involved in the community, but only from the classroom. What is the root of the problem? Creighton’s in a great position to be asking some of these questions.”