Joao Souza, a 19-year-old freshman engineering student at Binghamton University, has died after being stabbed on campus on the night of Sunday, April 15. Binghamton University’s website says that the suspect fled after the stabbing and currently remains at large. The university announced Souza’s death on Monday, April 16.
According to reports, the stabbing happened in Windham Hall on Binghamton’s campus around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 15. Police said the suspect fled on foot and is described as a “light skinned male wearing dark pants and a dark hoodie.” In a statement, BU spokesman Ryan Yarosh said that the stabbing does not appear to be a random act.
At this time, investigators from multiple agencies are interviewing people and searching areas of the campus around Windham Hall. Classes were canceled for the day at BU on Monday, April 16, as a result of the tragedy.
via PressConnects:
As he walked outside the Couper Administration Building Monday morning, 21-year-old Conrad Taylor, a December 2017 graduate of BU who also serves on Binghamton City Council, described this tragedy is heartbreaking — a disgusting crime.
“As someone who was a student until a few months ago, and someone who is still a part of the BU community, it’s tough to hear about something like this happening on campus,” Taylor said. “We’re an incredible community here at Binghamton, but we’ve faced tragedy and hardship before in different ways, and we’ve stuck together and stood by each other. I’m absolutely sure we’ll do that again.”
Investigators have not disclosed circumstances surrounding Sunday’s stabbing, which marks the second homicide involving a BU student this year and the fourth homicide to occur in Broome County for 2018. Haley Anderson, 22, was killed at an Oak Street residence in Binghamton in March. In Dec. 2009, Richard T. Antoun, an emeritus professor of anthropology, was stabbed to death on campus by a graduate student.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the stabbing or the suspect’s whereabouts to contact Binghamton University Police at 607-777-2393. Furthermore, the school is offering counseling services. BU officials said that if students would like to speak to someone, they should reach out to the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team by calling 607-777-2804.
