Pictured Above: Friends expressed their grief over the loss of USF St. Petersburg student Owen Melin in a home invasion on Wednesday night.
Courtesy of Matthew Lee on Facebook
By Aya Diab and Sophie Ojdanic
A 22-year-old USF St. Petersburg student was shot and killed on Wednesday night.
Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock made the announcement to faculty in an email on Friday evening.
Owen Melin was a psychology major who transferred to USF St. Petersburg in fall 2019 after earning his associate degree from St. Petersburg College.
“His father said he fell in love with USF St. Petersburg during orientation and greatly enjoyed being a member of the campus community,” Tadlock said in the email.
According to a news release from the St. Petersburg Police Department, Melin was visiting friends when he was shot to death during a home invasion on the 400 block of Fourth Avenue S, less than a mile from campus.
Detectives believe the shooting was not a random act, the release said.
Tadlock expressed his condolences to Melin’s family in the email.
“Our deepest sympathies are with Owen’s family and friends, and we wish them strength as they cope with this tremendous loss,” he said. “Please keep them in your thoughts.”
By Friday, Melin’s friends had already taken to social media to express their grief.
“I’m really going to miss one of my best friends, Owen Melin,” said Matthew Lee in a Facebook post on Friday. “He was like a brother to me … We went on photo shoots, gave blood, and had some of the best conversations together.”
“I love you, my brother,” the post continued. “I’ll always hold the memories I have of you close to my heart.”
Tadlock encouraged students in need of support to reach out for help.
“Dealing with the death of friends and loved ones is difficult at any stage in life.” He said. “Please know that support is available through our Wellness Center and Employee Assistance Program.”
The St. Petersburg Police Department is asking anyone with information to call its non-emergency line at 727-893-7780 or send an anonymous message by texting “SPPD” and the tip to TIP-411.
This story is developing. Stay with crowsneststpete.com for updates.
I am Owen’s Mother’s second cousin. I met Owen when he was about seven years old and he pretty much just kept to himself as children often do around unfamiliar adults. I have a friend that is located in South Saint Petersburg and I do go down their fairly often. Every time I head for home from their I pass through the intersection of 4th Ave. S. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It was an eerie feeling today driving by their knowing that Owen had taken his last breaths of life only a few blocks away only three days ago. It will likely never be the same for me driving by that way in the future but, I will always remember the wonderous broth of a boy that I had met years ago with fondness and positivity knowing he would have wanted it that way. My heart, pride and spirit will reflect a solace of an incredible young man who’s life was ended much too soon.
Im sorry for your loss. I met Owen at Spc ..he was one of my classmates and became homies…he was great a young man. Can you please update us on his funeral arrangements!?
What an absolute tragedy, a life snuffed out far too soon. Sending thoughts and prayers.
I didn’t know him. But I can tell from the story that he was a beautiful person. Heaven has one more Angel. ❤ RIP.
a bright light in sometimes a very dark world. Any one reading about owen and this story please keep it dear to your heart and help if you know anything about this please speak your voice and help give some peace to such a horrific incident. This world needs to change for the better and we are now down 1 in the fight for a peaceful world. A world Owen wanted to help and make it a more beautiful .In his memory do something nice for someone everyday even a smile.