Are Knives next? Texas student stabs at least 14 at Lone Star College
Authorities say a student armed with sharp object ran from building to building on campus near Houston.
At least 14 people at a Houston-area community college were injured — two critically — when a student ran from building to building cutting people with a knife or other sharp object, authorities said Tuesday.
The unidentified suspect was arrested after a student tackled him on the Lone Star College-CyFair campus, Harris County Deputy Thomas Gilliland said.
Although initial reports suggested there was more than on attacker, Sheriff Adrian Garcia said a review of surveillance tapes showed “one and only one suspect.”
Garcia said the first calls to emergency responders about 11:20 a.m. CT reported a “male on the loose stabbing people.” The attacks occurred in the Health and Science Center and possibly other buildings.
The exact number of victims remains unclear. Garcia said 14 people were injured, with two refusing treatment.
Robert Rasa, of the CyFair Volunter Fire Department, however, put the number at 15, saying there were three people with minor injuries. He described all injuries as “consistent with lacerations.”
Four of the most severely injured were taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Texas Trauma Institute, and two others with moderate injuries arrived there by ambulance. Two were in critical condition and four were in fair condition Tuesday afternoon, hospital spokeswoman Alex Rodriguez said.
The others were transported by ambulance or personal vehicles.
A student identified only as James told KTRK-TV in Houston that he helped authorities take the suspect into custody. He said the suspect, described as a 21-year-old white male wearing shorts, a black hat and white shirt, may be hearing impaired. James said the suspect was armed with a knife similar to an Exacto knife.
James said he saw the suspect emerge from the building at a run, and he gave chase. When tackled, he said the suspect reportedly said, ‘I give up, I give up.’
Students were held inside classrooms as the campus went into lockdown. One student told KTRK he held a prayer circle with students in his classroom.
Deputies searched all vehicles before drivers were allowed to leave campus.
On its website, splashed with a big red “:Alert!”sign, the college told students to stay indoors.
“Stay away from the area,” the college advised its students. “Seek shelter in a secure location until the incident is resolved.”
Alan Bernstein, director of public affairs for the college, said the campus remained a crime scene.
“It’s going to take a massive number of people and a decent amount of time before the final all clear comes down,” he said.
Later, the school announced that it would reopen Wednesday.
In January, two people were shot at another Lone Star College campus. The CyFair campus is located in Cypress, Texas, about 25 miles northwest of downtown Houston.
The Lone Star College System’s six campuses serve about 90,000 students, 18,000 of them at the CyFair campus.
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Contributing: John Bacon; Associated Press