FBI, UC Merced Police Department Offer Statement Regarding UC Merced Investigation
Sacramento, Calif. – On November 4, 2015, an 18-year-old student attacked and stabbed four individuals on the UC Merced campus. The incident occurred without warning or advance indication.
The FBI works tirelessly to prevent such horrific acts of violence. As part of our normal operations, the FBI routinely provides intelligence briefings to state and local partners about the current threats emanating from terrorism groups. However, the FBI did not provide any briefing about specific threats to UC Merced or the student assailant. Furthermore, the FBI did not have any derogatory information on the subject, he was not the subject of an FBI investigation, and he was not located in FBI files prior to this incident.
UC Merced Police Department officers immediately responded to the incident, quickly engaging the student and using deadly force to stop the threat. The department immediately requested additional local and federal resources to ensure the safety of the UC Merced community.
“The safety and security of our campus is the highest priority,” said Chief Albert Vasquez of the UC Merced Police Department. “I want to thank the FBI and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office for their on-going support and collaboration during this difficult time.”
To support a comprehensive investigation that will provide answers, not assumptions, UC Merced PD and the Merced County Sheriff’s Department have provided all available information to support a comprehensive investigation.
The FBI has assisted the ongoing investigation and continues to do so in a collaborative effort to find answers to many questions. Without the ability to ask him directly, investigative efforts focus on fully examining all available evidence to ascertain his motives. As an active, ongoing investigation, the FBI will not release details regarding searches or evidence collected during the course of the investigation at this time. The FBI is in search of answers and will not speculate about a motive and appreciate the public’s patience as we continue this significant task.
The FBI is not aware of any additional threats to the UC Merced campus. As the investigation continues, all law enforcement agencies ask for the public’s patience as we continue the significant task ahead.
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