A man with a knife killed one person and injured three others at the University Of Texas at Austin on Monday. The crime scene was cordoned off by authorities as they survey the area while students try to shed light on the deadly act. Monday’s classes were canceled after the incident occurred.
The attacker was identified as 21-year-old Kendrex J. White. Police were able to tackle the suspect and is now in custody. Authorities said the attacker used a “Bowie-style” hunting knife. The motive of the attack is yet to be known.
All the victims are between the ages of 20 and 21, although their names were not disclosed as of this writing.
Terror on campus
The attack occurred around 1:46 p.m. on the central campus of the university, only a short distance from the administration building. This is where students usually hang out, close to a popular Food Truck that serves Korean barbecue. Alma Muňoz, a student, said she passed by where the crime took place just minutes before it happened. She thought it was a mass shooting at first when she heard about the attack.
Rachel Prichett, also a student, said she was in line at the food truck when she saw the attacker. She said the suspect stabbed the person beside her that prompted her to run immediately.
Student Calvin Lui said he just come out of class at the McCombs School of Business when he saw students running away from the attacker.
He saw one of the victims on a nearby set of steps and returned inside the building.
Greg Fenves, the University of Texas at Austin president, said the incident was “horrific.” Fenves added that campus safety is their priority and they will investigate the crime to the greatest extent possible.
Should guns be allowed in schools?
A sophomore student named David Tran said the incident might trigger the debate of whether or not students are allowed to bring guns. He stated, “People were so worried about guns last year. And this was a knife."
Lawmakers in Texas passed a law last year that allowed licensed gun owners to carry handguns in public universities such as the University of Texas.
People who support the law said it would discourage acts of violence like the one that occurred on Monday. However, that belief is contrary to what non-supporters believe, which will make gun violence on campus even worse.
Do you think people should be allowed to carry handguns at the University of Texas? Write your thoughts in the comments section down below and don’t forget to share this article.
