(Story updated and photo added)
Travis Powell, a 22-year-old Chico State junior, was shot and killed at a house party on West Seventh and Oak streets early Saturday morning, according to a press release from th
e Chico Police Department.
Powell was attending the party when a fight broke out and spilled out into the streets.
The fight escalated and three victims, including Powell, were shot. Two individuals were stabbed and one victim was hit in the face with a glass bottle, according to the release.
Police responded to a call at 1:17 a.m. Saturday morning that a shooting had taken place. Powell was transported to Enloe Medical Center and later died from his wounds.
The suspects in the shooting are unknown.
Powell was a criminal justice major and wanted to become a game warden after he graduated, according to a campus-wide email.
He was a talented student and athlete who loved to hunt and fish.
“He was a determined student: When faced with a challenge in class, he would always go above and beyond to improve his academic performance,” said Professor Darin Haerle, Department of Political Science.
“He was very much looking forward to graduation. Travis will be remembered for his love of basketball and his sometimes shy, yet always genuinely friendly, demeanor,” he said.
Marc Smutny, one of Powell’s best friends, posted a status on Facebook in remembrance of Travis.
“Travi, even though you were younger than me I still looked up to you in so many ways,” he wrote.
Travis was hospitable, hilarious and the perfect guy, he wrote.
“We know we will never forget the memories made and days spent sitting across the table from each other, for hours on end, just laughing,” he wrote.
The University flag will be lowered tomorrow in his memory.
Powell’s family has set up a website for donations to help with funeral expenses. To donate, go to http://www.gofundme.com/travispowell
If anyone witnessed, has video or images of the incident or the party prior to the incident, contact the Chico Police Department Detective Bureau at 530-897-4900.
Madison Holmes can be reached at [email protected] or @madisonholmes95 on Twitter.
