A man has been arrested in the murder of a Alabama State University student from Fort Lauderdale, authorities said.
Jalil Bivens, 22, was arrested in the killing of 20-year-old Ava Walters, Montgomery Police officials said.
According to police, Walters was found dead Sunday night at an off-campus ASU facility on Interstate Park Drive.
Police haven’t said how she was killed but multiple media reports said authorities believe she’d been strangled to death, citing court documents.
The documents also said Bivens and Walters were dating.
Bivins, who is also from Fort Lauderdale, was booked into jail on the murder charge, police said.
ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. released a statement on Walters’ death.
“My heart is heavy as we mourn the tragic loss of one of our Hornets, Ms. Ava Walters, a second-year Health Information Management major from Fort Lauderdale, Florida,” the statement read. “On behalf of Alabama State University Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and students, I extend my deepest condolences to Ms. Walter’s family, friends, classmates, and all who knew and loved her. There are no words that can truly ease the pain of losing a loved one, but please know that the entire Hornet Nation stands with you during this difficult time. I ask our campus community to keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and to support one another with compassion and care. May God provide comfort, strength, and peace to the family as they navigate this time of sorrow.”