U.S.

At Least 14 People Stabbed at Houston-Area College

A mass stabbing at Lone Star College in Texas captured the attention of many Tuesday as reports of a targeted pencil attack turned into the cold reality of a student with a "regular knife" and many injured in a "random attack" — and maybe a social-media tackler.

By Alexander Abad-Santos and Dashiell Bennett
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At least 14 people have been injured in a mass stabbing at Lone Star College in Texas. The incident began shortly before noon on Tuesday, when a student armed with a weapon, possibly a scalpel or exacto knife, stabbed multiple people in a random attack. The suspect was subdued by a fellow student before police arrested him. Local police officials confirm at least 14 people were injured, though throughout the day there were numerous conflicting reports on the number of injured. At least four were airlifted to a local hospital, and according to Sheriff Adrian Garcia, two victims remain in critical condition.

Earlier reports of two attackers were refuted by police, who believe there was merely confusion because the same attacker was in multiple buildings. Back in January, three people were injured after a dispute between two men erupted in gunfire on the North Harris campus of Lone Star system, about 25 miles away. 

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available, but you can read all our previous updates on this story below. (All times Eastern.)

Original Post: The Lone Star College System posted an alert on its website today stating that their CyFair campus—short for the Cypress-Fairbanks suburbs northwest of Houston—has been locked down due to two armed suspects, one of whom is still at large. The local ABC News affiliate reports there are as many as eight victims, though there are no reports on casualties or their conditions. The Houston Chronicle reports as many as 13 injuries, though all the numbers are unconfirmed. The Associated Press confirms that one arrest has been made.

Update (4:52 p.m.): There are reports that the suspect may have been stopped and apprehended by fellow students including Stephen Maida, who posted details on Twitter and Instagram and spoke to several TV news outlets Tuesday afternoon; he described the suspect's weapon as a "regular knife." Despite this apparent social media evidence that Maida's heroic tale could be true, cops haven't confirmed his account. Stay tuned to Houston's KHOU and the local ABC affiliate for some of the more reliable updates throughout the evening. (Update: And follow the Houston Chronicle, which has identified the stabber as 20-year-old Dylan Quick.)

Update (4:03 p.m.): KHOU-11 News in Houston has a picture of the man it reports is the suspect. The man remains unnamed, for now — police officials have confirmed only that he is a white male enrolled in the Lone Star College System and that he is approximately 21 years old.

Update (3:17 p.m.):  Sheriff Adrian Garcia just briefed reporters, confirming details we've heard throughout the afternoon. He stated there were 14 people injured, and of those people two refused treatment. Of that remaining 12, "two remain in critical condition, and four are in fair condition." he said. Garcia would not confirm what weapon was used, only saying that it was "an unknown instrument" and he said that a suspect is in custody — and that police had been looking for just that one suspect, a white man in a black shirt approximately 21 years in age. Garcia said the suspect was enrolled as a student, and that his team began working when they received emergency calls at around 11:15 a.m Tuesday morning — he described the basics of the initial outline as "man on the loose, stabbing people," and he said law enforcement was "very proud" of individuals inside the college system who had helped restrain the suspect.

Update (2:12 p.m.): The campus has updated their statement to say that are 11 confirmed victims, and the incident occurred near the Health Science Center. (Which would fit with the idea that it started in a biology class.) The Sheriff's Department says 14 wounded. The campus is closed for the rest of the day and law enforcement is managing traffic out of the campus.

Update (2:03 p.m.): A police spokesperson with the Harris County Sheriff's Deptarment just updated media with a brief press conference, stating they believe there is only one suspect. (The reports of two suspects were probably the same person running from building to building.) He said they don't have the weapon, so he can't confirm what was used. He added the situation is still fluid and the campus is still on lockdown.

Update (1:45 p.m.): KTRK has more updates on the victims: Four patients were airlifted to a local hospital  two more were transported there by ambulance, and two others refused treatment at the scene. That would mean at least 8 victims, though there could be more. They also report one eye witness saying the suspect who was arrested appeared to be hearing-impaired and was carrying an "exacto knife," like those used in biology class.

Update (1:30 p.m.): Here's the full statement from Lone Star College, posted at noon, local time:

Two armed suspects at LSC-CyFair. One suspect is at large. Stay away from the area. Seek shelter in a secure location until the incident is resolved. Be aware of your surroundings. If you have reason to believe that the suspect is in or near your location, notify LSC Police at 281.290.5911, if it is safe to do so. Updates on the situation will follow as new and confirmed information becomes available.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.