UIC Student Arrested After Dorm Hallway Attack
Police detained a student who chased peers with a butcher knife and tried to ignite a device in the Student Center East.
By Lauren Foster ·
University of Illinois Chicago police arrested a student after a violent incident in a hallway on campus late Wednesday. The suspect attempted to use an incendiary device and then tried to stab another student with a knife. University Police Chief Kevin Booker confirmed the details in a statement issued late Wednesday night. The incident took place around 12:40 p.m. in the second-floor hallway of the Student Center East building at 750 S. Halsted St.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene where the armed student chased several peers. Jonathan Uribe, a UIC student, said his roommate was one of those pursued. Uribe told NBC Chicago that the suspect suddenly pulled a large butcher knife from a trench coat. He described the suspect running toward the group. One dormmate escaped quickly. Uribe’s roommate tried to follow but slipped on liquid from a bottle. The suspect reached him and attempted an attack.
Multiple witnesses reported the suspect was carrying a huge kitchen knife. FBI and ATF agents were seen entering the building to assist local authorities. The university issued an alert to students shortly after the event began. The alert advised the campus community to avoid the area while police investigated the scene. Student Center East was evacuated following the incident. Booker said the building will remain closed until 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Booker credited bystanders and campus safety personnel for the quick detention of the suspect. He stated that the alleged suspect, a UIC student, is now in custody. The chief expressed gratitude to students, staff, and first responders who acted swiftly during the event. He noted that such incidents can be unsettling even for those who were not present in the building at the time.
A joint investigation involving UIC police, local law enforcement, and federal agents is ongoing. UIC police confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the campus. The university has not released the name of the arrested student or the student who was targeted. No additional information was available as of late Wednesday night.
