Ex-Saint Louis volleyball player shot, killed

Published Aug. 20, 2012 12:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis University volleyball community lost a friend, companion and trusted former teammate Saturday afternoon.

Megan Boken, who played for the Billikens from 2007 to 2010, was shot and killed in the Central West End neighborhood while in the city for an alumni game. She was 23.

No arrests have been made as of Monday morning. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, detectives are investigating the incident as a probable attempted robbery. Police have said there is no evidence to suggest she knew her killer.

"Megan was a vibrant young woman and a wonderful representative of Saint Louis University and Billiken athletics," SLU athletic director Chris May said in a release. "In addition to being a great student, she was an outstanding athlete and an important part of our championship volleyball teams. All the qualities we value in a Saint Louis student-athlete were reflected in Megan. She contributed as much in the classroom and in the community as she did on the court. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends."

Boken, a 2011 graduate of SLU's John Cook School of Business, was part of teams that won Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season titles in 2008 and 2009. She was named to the all-conference second team as a junior and earned honorable mention status as a senior.

Boken, who was living outside Chicago before her visit, suffered wounds to her neck and chest. Those close to the area shared with police that they heard shouting near her Volkswagen before the incident. Police are continuing to search for witnesses and surveillance video.

"We are shocked and saddened by this terrible and tragic loss," SLU's release read. "Megan was a truly outstanding student-athlete who excelled in the classroom and on the court. She exemplified the very best of what it means to be a Saint Louis University Billiken. Our focus right now is on providing as much support as we can for our students, and our thoughts and prayers are with Megan's family and friends during this very difficult time."