This morning, two glass-robed white candles, still burning, flanked four small stuffed animals under a tree next to the murder scene, in the 800 block of Ellsworth Street, a couple of blocks from Pat's and Geno's in South Philadelphia - and just one block from home.

"He was a brilliant kid with a good mind and he was going to make a difference in this city," said the 22-year-old woman, a newly minted Temple grad, who shared a rowhouse with Beau Zabel, 23, who came to Philadelphia from Minnesota just six weeks ago.

An Eagle Scout, Zabel had graduated from Augustana College in Illinois in 2007. He came to Philadelphia to take part in a program that would allow him to become a public school teacher while getting his certification.

Philadelphia police are still seeking suspects in the case and are to hold an afternoon press conference asking for the public's help.

"Beau loved it here, and didn't know a soul, and died," the roommate, who declined to be identified, said in their living room this morning. Her sister, who came from Bethelem to lend support, sat quietly alongside on a couch.

Flat cardboard forms leaned against the wall, waiting to be become boxes for Zabel's belongings once his mother and step-father arrive from the Midwest..

The roommate said she planned to stay. To keep living in the city - as she did for five years as a Temple student. To teach at a city elementary school in the fall.

Despite her parents' worries.

"I can't live in a bubble," she said. "... I can't stop the world from happening around me."

"I'm just really freaked out," she said.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry T. Jordan released a statement today on Zabel's death, calling it "a sad day for the teaching profession and for the children of Philadelphia."

"Philadelphia needs people like Beau Zabel – young adults with bright futures who have a sense of responsibility, who want to contribute something of value to the world and who choose to teach, to inspire and to be role models for our children," Jordan said.

"Zabel's desire to bring his tremendous talents to our students is a testament to the kind of young man he must have been, because it takes strength, compassion and dedication to come here to teach children so far from his home in Minnesota. His death leaves this city poorer because of the many lives he would have inevitably have touched, and perhaps changed, as a result of his work in public education.

"Zabel's untimely death is yet another wakeup call to the city's leaders to do everything within their power to improve safety on our streets and in our schools.

Zabel was shot once in the neck while walking home his late-shift job at the Starbucks at Fourth and South Streets.

Richie Renzi, 43, saw Zabel lying on the sidewalk.

He was awakened by a noise "like a firecracker - boom!" He didn't think much about it - maybe it was just the transformer sparking again - until he heard the sirens.

About 20 police officers arrived.

Some went to a gun club across the street, probably to check its surveillance cameras, he said.

On weekends, youngsters often play street hockey or basketball till midnight or later, he said.

The shooting happened after the kids had finished playing, he said.

"This street here is a decent street," said Renzi, who's lived there all his life.

Almost everyone on the street, considered the neighborhood to be safe.

"Kids play on the block. Families live here. It's a good neighborhood," said actor David Sweeney, 28.

People do have to be cautious, said social worker Suzanne Green, 29, who lived in the area for two years.

"Crime is everywhere - not only in Philadelphia," she said.

There had been a series of muggings in the area, said Joe Reo, 27, who works at Drexel University. One person would get the victim in a bear hug from behind, as the other approached from the front, he said.

But no one had been killed, he said.

Zabel always walked home after work, his roommate said.

"He loved working the night shift because they let him take home food at the end of the day," she said.

He liked it so much, he hoped to keep working there, even after he landed the teaching job he was destined to get, she said.

Zabel found out she needed a roommate through mutual friends, she said.

He had a date with a girlfriend scheduled for tonight.

Starbucks issued this statement today regarding Zabel: Our deepest sympathy goes to the family and friends of the partner [employee]. Out of respect for the partner's family, we will refrain from sharing additional details at this time."