Friends of Karl Harford, the Ball State student killed and left on the east side of Muncie, described him as a shy, quiet person who would never be involved in a situation like the one that transpired this weekend.
"This is way out of left field for something like that to happen," Lance Giles, a sophomore who went to middle school with Harford, said.
Harford's body was discovered in the back seat of his car in an alley at 1923 E. Hines St. on Sunday afternoon. Delaware County Coroner James Clevenger has called Harford's death a homicide.
Harford's friends, meanwhile, struggled to figure out how their classmate was involved in the events that led to his death.
"He was really nice," Giles said. "Always friendly."
Giles and others at Ball State who knew Harford tended to describe him as a quiet person. Sophomore Sarah Huff, a high school classmate, said she did not spend much time with Harford, but he seemed to be a bit of a loner.
Sophomore Jackson Hui, however, would talk with Harford often when the two sat next to each other in class.
"We would always sit next to each other, goof off, have a good time," Hui said.
Still, Hui said he did not hang out with Harford outside of the classroom.
Harford, a 20-year-old sophomore, was a pre-business major trying to earn a degree in accounting. Melkote Shivaswamy, an associate professor of accounting, had Harford in one of his classes this semester.
"I couldn't really say much about him," Shivaswamy said. "He didn't make any waves. I think he was a good student."
According to a statement from the family released by Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center, Harford was a manager at an Arby's in Westfield and worked as a pool lifeguard and a cart-boy at a local golf course.
"He was an avid participant of Star Wars and Magic card tournaments," the statement says.
Harford's family declined to comment further Monday night.
At Ball State, Harford is not listed as a member of any student organizations. At Carmel High School, Harford took honors classes, joined the German Club and took part in a business education department internship while he was a senior.
A candlelight vigil is planned for 7 p.m. today at Shafer Tower. Funeral arrangements were also announced Monday. Visitation hours are between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday at Flanner & Buchanan Mortuaries, 325 E. Carmel Drive, Carmel. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 17102 Springmill Road, Westfield. He will be buried at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.
Harford is survived by his parents, Thomas and Livia Harford; brother Brian Harford; grandparents Bill and Jean Harford and Pete and Anna Turkupolis; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
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