( CNN ) -- Students at Florida A & M University in Tallahassee held a vigil Sunday night to remember a basketball player who was stabbed to death earlier in the day . Police found Shannon Washington with a knife wound to her neck in her apartment early Sunday morning . She later died at a hospital . Authorities have charged a friend , 20-year-old Starquineshia Palmer , with first-degree murder in the death . Police said Palmer was visiting Washington for the weekend , but have not disclosed a motive in the killing . `` For Shannon to be killed in the prime of her life is tragic and senseless , '' said FAMU President James Ammons . `` She had so much promise as a student athlete . This is a great loss for the university and our athletic program . '' Washington transferred to the university from Illinois Valley Community College and was expected to play in the fall as a shooting guard .
Police find Shannon Washington with a knife wound to the neck . They arrest a friend who was visiting for the weekend . Authorities have not disclosed a motive . University president : `` We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts go out to all those affected by it.