NYU grad students shot to death outside Puerto Rico club during birthday party

New York University (NYU) is mourning the deaths of two graduate students who were shot and killed while celebrating a friend's birthday in Puerto Rico over the weekend.

Franco Medina, 29, and Sergio Palomino Ruiz, 28, were shot dead by an unidentified woman outside a nightclub in the capital San Juan early Saturday morning after getting caught in a crossfire, the Puerto Rico Police Department reported in a Facebook post.

Local authorities believe the students were killed when a dispute between the woman and a group of people at the club escalated, according to an ABC7 report.

The suspect has since been arrested, the outlet added.

"From the preliminary investigation it appears that this unfortunate event is an isolated event due to an apparent previous dispute, which culminated in the death of these two young people, who had nothing to do with the situation," said the Chief of the Police Department of Puerto Rico.

"Together with the Police and the Department of Justice, components of different government agencies will be assisting the families of the victims and other companions who visit the island."

In a statement, an NYU spokesperson said the school was "heartbroken and shocked" by the deaths of Medina and Palomino Ruiz.

"NYU today mourns the family, loved ones, and friends of these students, whose lives ended tragically, suddenly, and far too soon," the statement reportedly read.

“The University has contacted the remaining members of the group to offer them support and help; none of the others were injured," the statement continued, according to the outlet.

"NYU has also reached out to the families of the slain students to provide any help we can and to express condolences to the university community. In addition, our counseling service will make resources available to students in the MBA program, the community of the Stern School, and especially to the classmates and close friends of the murdered students."

According to the statement, the students, who were pursuing an MBA at the Stern School of Business, were on a group trip with other classmates.

NYU is planning a memorial service for the couple on May 11, ABC7 reported.

"They were good-hearted people and unfortunately they were in the wrong place at the wrong time," classmate Nick Mica told the outlet.

A GoFundMe set up by Stern Student Government to support families of students has raised more than $64,000 so far.

“The Stern community is devastated by the loss of our beloved classmates, Franco and Sergio,” the page reads. "They were such rays of light in our community, constantly bringing laughter, smiles and joy to all of us. We express our deepest condolences to their families and want to offer help however we can. SGOV will share the donations raised with their families in support."