Visitation hours for Ryan Morbitzer, a 20-year-old Ohio State student, will be held today from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home, 2697 Columbus St., Grove City. A memorial service will follow at 8 p.m.

Morbitzer of Grove City, was shot in the chest while walking along E. 11th Avenue near Pearl Street at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday, according to an Ohio State University Medical Center spokesman. He died in surgery at 5:35 a.m.

Morbitzer was a sophomore in English and a 1999 graduate of Grove City High School.

Jeremiah Miller, a manager at Don Pablo’s, said that Morbitzer had finished his shift at Don Pablo’s and was returning home to his apartment on 11th Avenue after stopping for a drink with a co-worker when he was shot.

Jim Sielschott, a teacher, and the cross country coach and track coach at Grove City High School, said Morbitzer was an exemplary leader on both the track and cross country team. Sielschott had known Morbitzer since third grade because of his involvement in Boy Scouts and youth sports.

“He worked very hard as the captain. We even had a workout named after him. We had just run it for the first time four or five days before this happened,” Sielschott said, “He was conscientious. He was always trying to help the younger kids get better.”

Sielschott saw Morbitzer’s kindness and leadership shine through in other ways, too. He said Morbitzer was always studying and had an incredible amount of potential.

“I never had Ryan in the classroom because I teach severely emotionally disturbed kids, but I had a call last night from one of those kids I taught because they saw an article in the newspaper about Ryan and wanted to talk. Typically, the kids I teach don’t get out and socialize a lot, but Ryan went out of his way to be nice to them,” Sielschott said.

Miller said Morbitzer was an excellent employee.

“He was just a great guy. He worked hard. He came in here with a great attitude. He was the kind of guy who was fun to be around and to joke around with,” Miller said.

There were several witnesses to the shooting.

Michael Weidner, an undecided freshman, tried to assist Morbitzer while he was lying on the street waiting for an ambulance.

“I heard the shots when I was sitting in my living room. I ran outside to help him. I asked him if he could feel his legs. I gave him my shirt. He just kept saying, ‘My back’,” Weidner said.

Weidner said the suspects’ vehicle looked like a Chevy Blazer and said he believed that it was red.

Anne Bartoszek, a junior in English, said she was on the porch at her residence across the street when the shooting occurred.

Bartoszek said Morbitzer was walking across the street when he was suddenly shot by someone riding in an older model sports utility vehicle.

“I turned my head and heard the gunshots. He turned, fell on his stomach. He started yelling, ‘Help, I’ve been shot, call the police!’ At first people were yelling to him, ‘Don’t joke around.’ In a few seconds everyone realized that this was for real. At least three houses called 9-1-1. The cops were here within a minute. The ambulance was here within five minutes,” Bartoszek said.

Bartoszek said she saw no earlier altercation take place between Morbitzer and those in the vehicle.

Columbus Division of Police Sgt. Earl Smith said the shooting appears to be a random act.

Morbitzer’s murder has heightened some residents concerns about off-campus safety.

“I walk down this street every day. It could have just as easily been me,” Weidner said.

Lee Tashjian, a spokesman for OSU, also voiced concerns in a statement given Friday.

“This past week, the university has experienced two tragedies that have affected many of us in some way, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the families involved. Unfortunately we live in a society where there are no longer any safe havens from crime and violence. We can only take comfort in our sense of community and support for each other.”