A student basketball player at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee was stabbed to death early Sunday morning after a domestic dispute with girlfriend turned violent. Shannon Washington, 20, was found bleeding heavily from stab wounds on her neck and back when police arrived at 2 a.m. at her apartment. She later died at a hospital.

According to evidence obtained by the police, Starquineshia Palmer, 20, Washington's girlfriend and former roommate, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of the collegiate basketball star.

According to a Herald Tribune report, Tallahassee police spokesman Derek Friend said Monday that a vicious argument between the two women preceded the slaying of Washington, a gifted female athlete and a basketball player who had been named a junior college All-American for the past two years.

They had been arguing, and the argument escalated to the point where Starquineshia armed herself with a knife, Friend said. The argument continued to the point she stabbed and killed Shannon.

Washington was stabbed at least twice, once in the back and once in the neck, Friend said. Police have found the kitchen utility knife used for stabbing inside the apartment.

Palmer did not attempt to flee, Friend said. She was at the apartment when the police arrived. According to the police, she was romantically involved with Washington. Both had lived together in the past, though Palmer was only visiting Washington when the stabbing took place.

The police declined to confirm whether or not Palmer confessed to the crime. As a matter of policy, we don't talk about suspect statements, Friend said.

About 400 students at FAMU held a vigil Sunday night to mourn Washington's death.

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