The NYPD is investigating the fatal stabbing of a Barnard College student Wednesday night inside Morningside Park.

Police said 18-year-old Tessa Majors, of Virginia, was stabbed multiple times around 5:30 p.m. near West 116th Street and Morningside Drive.

A Columbia University security guard found the victim and called 911, according to police.

The woman was transported to Mount Sinai-St. Luke's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Investigators were trying to determine what led up to the attack.

Police said a knife was recovered at the scene, but it was still unclear if it was connected to her killing.

The NYPD said they questioned two minors with their guardians and were also looking to speak with a third individual, but the minors were released by Thursday evening.

On the Barnard College campus, students were shaken and visibly upset as they gathered at a vigil for Majors.  

Officers plastered the neighborhood with reward posters Thursday evening.
 

Barnard College President Sian Leah Beilock said the student was attacked while she was robbed inside the park.

In a statement, she went on to say, "Tessa was just beginning her journey at Barnard and in life. We mourn this devastating murder of an extraordinary young woman and member of our community. This is an unthinkable tragedy that has shaken us to our core. Please know that we are all grieving together and I am thinking of you as we process this awful news as a community."

NY1 spoke with Brad Taylor, the president of Friends of Morningside Park, a volunteer group that works to improve safety in the park.

"I mean, it's just a tragedy for everyone, we feel so terrible about it. Is the park unsafe? You know, after dark I would say that any place is unsafe if there aren't any people around, so that's what we really see as the issue," Taylor said.

The college planned to provide counseling to students and staff Thursday.

The NYPD offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-8477, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.