On Nov. 13 four people were stabbed on the campus of Louisiana Tech in what university officials called a “random act of violence.”
According to ABC News, the four victims had just left the campus recreation center at around 9 a.m. when they were allegedly attacked by Jacoby Johnson. Johnson fled but was captured a few minutes later by the university’s campus police.
According to Louisiana Tech Police Chief Randal Hermes, the attacks did not appear to be premeditated and seemed to be attacks of opportunity. Johnson is a senior
at the university, according to Tech officials.The victims were former 3rd District Judge Cynthia Woodard, artist Annie Richardson, retired teacher Debby Hollimon, and Louisiana Tech graduate student Dominique McKane, the Ruston Daily Leader reported. Hollimon refused treatment, while Woodard and Richardson were hospitalized in serious but stable condition, McKane was hospitalized in critical condition. According to the Daily Leader, the weapon used in the attack, a 4-inch folding knife, was recovered by police.
According to the Associated Press, all four of Johnson’s stabbing victims were women. Johnson was booked into a jail in Ruston, where the university is located. Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers said Johnson was held on four counts of attempted second-degree murder.
At a joint press conference with Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, Rogers said that the police had contact with Johnson about a week before the attack but did not provide details beyond saying, “We had one reported incident with him. It wasn’t criminal. We went and checked him out and had people check him out. He was fine at that time.”
In a statement, Louisiana Tech President Les Guice said, “In the wake of this unsettling incident, our hearts go out to those impacted most directly.”
Guice added, “Our immediate focus is on those affected by today’s violence. While we’re grateful for the timely care being provided to the victims, we understand the shock
and worry that may linger on campus and in the community. The University will continue to make safety a priority. Please know that you can and should be willing to give and receive compassion and support as needed during this time. I encourage you to rely on the bonds of the Tech community as we grieve and heal.”RELATED CONTENT: TEEN IN TEARS AFTER BEING ARRESTED AND CHARGED FOR STABBING COMMUNITY ACTIVIST