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Who killed Elizabeth Howell? SUNY Potsdam student, 21, shot dead near campus

Elizabeth Howell, 21, was found lying on the side of College Park Road with gunshot wounds

POTSDAM, NEW YORK: A SUNY Potsdam music education student was shot dead on a street just off campus by a man with no affiliation with the school. Elizabeth Howell, 21, was found lying on the side of College Park Road with gunshot wounds on Friday, February 18. Howell, from Patterson in Putnam County, would have graduated this year.  The alleged suspect, Michael J Snow, 31, was arrested on Saturday, February 19, and charged with second-degree murder. Police confirmed that the shooting was an isolated incident, before which they had urged locals to keep their doors locked and travel in groups. It was not immediately clear if Snow and Howell knew each other. 

"On February 18, 2022, at about 5:51 p.m., Potsdam Police responded to a report of an unconscious female on College Park Road in the village. Responding patrols located the 21-year-old victim lying on the side of the road with gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Canton Potsdam Hospital where she was pronounced deceased," New York State Police said said in a statement. "At the request of the Potsdam Police Department, the State Police is leading the investigation into this incident. Police are asking anyone who may have information about the case to call Potsdam Police at 315-265-2121."

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The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, the University Police Department at SUNY Potsdam, and federal Homeland Security Investigations are assisting State Police and Postdam Police.  SUNY Potsdam wrote on social media, "We are in disbelief at the sudden loss of one of our own, Elizabeth Howell '22, a music education student at our Crane School of Music. Our thoughts are with all of Beth’s friends and family during this difficult time." 

"Beth was a cellist who performed with the Crane Symphony Orchestra, and she was an aspiring educator with a bright future ahead of her. No words can express the sadness we share as a campus community following this tragic loss," it said. "We have designated the Hosmer Gallery in the lobby of the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at The Crane School of Music as a memorial space for members of the campus community. All will be welcome to leave flowers or items in Beth’s memory." Classes were canceled on Monday, February 21, at the school. 

Howell's heartbroken parents have said that their daughter was possibly in the “wrong place, wrong time” when she was killed. "“She was the type of person that didn’t have enemies, and certainly no one that would want to kill her. As soon as they told us, we figured wrong place, wrong time,” her father Joe Howell told New York Post. 

Joe's wife Ann called Elizabeth her “friend and daughter". “She was very empathic, empathetic — compassionate, that’s the word. She was a good person, strong person,” Ann Howell said. “She had so much innate talent.” “It’s been very tough. But we have a strong community base, and we have great friends and strong family. That doesn’t make it easier but it helps,” she added. Howell was one of four siblings. 

Many took to social media to condemn the senseless murder, and to express their grief. New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote, "My heart is with the family of Elizabeth Howell and the entire @sunypotsdam1816 community feeling the pains of senseless gun violence this weekend. May she rest in peace." "Upon hearing of the tragic homicide of SUNY Potsdam student Elizabeth Howell, we send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, classmates and the SUNY Potsdam community," SUNY Plattsburgh wrote in a statement. 

"Please know this wonderful young lady was NOT in the wrong place/wrong time. This predator who has been arrested multiple times was in the wrong place. He belonged in prison in a cage! “Student Elizabeth Howell in the 'wrong place, wrong time': parents," one user wrote. "I have to disagree. SHE was not in the "wrong place at the wrong time." She should have been safe anywhere, anytime...if anyone was strictly enforcing our laws," commented another user.