The murder of Lauren Burk occurred on March 4, 2008, in Auburn, Alabama. Burk, an 18-year-old freshman at Auburn University, was kidnapped at gunpoint by Courtney Lockhart. Lockhart, a U.S. military veteran who had been dishonorably discharged, robbed Burk and forced her to strip naked. He drove her around for about 30 minutes while he lamented about his unemployment and misfortunes. When Burk attempted to escape Lockhart shot her in the lungs. Burk, severely injured and naked except for a pair of socks, was left on Alabama State Route 147. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The murder of Burk, which attracted national attention, was part of a months-long violent crime spree during which Lockhart robbed and assaulted several women. The spree began in February 2008 and ended with his arrest on March 7. Judge Jacob Walker cited Lockhart's criminal history when he overrode the jury's unanimous recommendation for life in prison and sentenced him to death. Lockhart is currently on death row at the Holman Correctional Facility.
Burk's parents filed a claim against Auburn University arguing that the decision to merge the university's police force with the city of Auburn's police force led to inadequate security. Alabama's Board of Adjustment denied the claim in November 2014.
Murder
On the evening of March 4, 2008, Burk left her boyfriend's dorm and headed to the Ralph B. Draughon Library, where she planned to study with a friend. Meanwhile, Lockhart was on Auburn University's campus looking for people to rob. He later told investigators that he had spent much of the day on the campus, leaving when he saw a patrol car and then returning.
At around 8:00 pm, Lockhart saw Burk as she was walking to her black 2001 Honda Civic. He confronted her, pointed a Rohm RG revolver at her, and ordered her into her car. Burk backed into her vehicle and crawled into the front passenger's seat. Lockhart got into the driver's seat. Burk handed him $200 in cash and pleaded for him to leave.
Lockhart abducted Burk, driving with one hand on the steering wheel and the other pointing the gun at her. As they left campus, Lockhart ordered Burk to take off her clothing. Burk, initially hesitant, complied with Lockhart's demand and undressed. Lockhart later claimed that he made her undress so she wouldn't "do anything or make any crazy moves." He also said that he "never thought about having sex with her." Lockhart was later charged with attempting to rape Burk, but he was acquitted of the charge at trial.
Lockhart drove Burk around for approximately 30 minutes, passing bars, stores, and downtown restaurants. He complained to Burk about his misfortunes and unemployment. According to Lockhart's confession, Burk attempted to talk him out of the crime and repeatedly asked if he would shoot her. As they left the center of town, Burk tried to reason with her captor, offering to help find him a job. "We were talking about how my life was over and how she could help me get a job," Lockhart told investigators. "She says she knows someone who can get me a job. I said I got a job; I don’t need a job." As Lockhart drove Burk along Alabama Highway 147, Burk's friend and boyfriend called to check on her. Lockhart allowed her to answer the phone but demanded that she make up a story to cover up his crime. Burk was forced to claim that she had forgotten about the planned study session. She canceled the session and abruptly hung up. Her boyfriend later said about the call, "At the time, I didn’t think about it that much. Looking back at the phone call — wow — I could have realized that something was up."
As Lockhart became frustrated, Burk attempted to escape by opening the passenger door and leaping from the moving vehicle. As she escaped, Lockhart shot her. Lockhart claims that the shot was fired unintentionally, while prosecutors argue that he intentionally killed Burk. Later, in 2010, jurors would find Lockhart guilty of intentionally murdering Burk. Burk was shot at close range, with the muzzle of the gun inches away from her back. The .38 caliber bullet entered the back of her left shoulder, pierced both of her lungs, and exited through her upper right arm. In addition to being shot, Burk was injured by the fall from the vehicle.