Chicago family prepares for Bradley student's funeral

CHICAGO (AP) - Family members are finalizing funeral details for a Bradley University student from Chicago who was shot dead at an off-campus party.

Nasjay Murry's funeral will be held this weekend in Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reported .

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder in the April 8 shooting, which also killed Peoria native Anthony Polnitz, 22. Officials didn't name the suspect because of his age.

Nasjay Murry, 18, was the oldest of three and had two stepsisters, said Tarrano Murry, her father. The freshman studied biomedical science at the Peoria school and dreamed of being the first doctor in the family, he said.

"I wish there was a way I could just finish what she was studying," her father said. "I know it's kind of hard but I wish one of my other kids could follow what she was doing, but it's up to them."

Nasjay Murry graduated from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School. Principal David Narain said Murry was quiet and would often do homework at school long after classes ended. He recalled having conversations with her about how she could impact her community on the South Side.

Murry was accepted to several colleges, including Brown University, an Ivy League school in Rhode Island, but decided to attend Bradley to stay near family.

But she didn't take herself too seriously, said April Hill, Murry's cousin. Hill said her cousin was a "ball of fun" who would sing, dance and joke around.

"She didn't deserve this at all," Tarrano Murry said. "She was just beginning her life, her new life. For someone to take it for their drama . it's just the hardest part."

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com