UIC Student Arrested After Attempted Stabbing at Student Center East

UIC Student Arrested After Attempted Stabbing at Student Center East

by

A University of Illinois Chicago student was in custody Wednesday evening after campus police investigated an attempted stabbing inside the university’s Student Center East, an attack that sent students fleeing, triggered a campus-wide alert, and left one student shaken enough to tell his roommate, “He almost died,” Chicago Tribune reported.

The incident unfolded Wednesday afternoon on the second floor of Student Center East at 750 S. Halsted St., a hub of campus life that houses meeting rooms, lecture halls, fast-food spots, and student organization offices. UIC Police were investigating the attempted stabbing, which involved two UIC students: one was arrested and taken into custody, and the other was neither stabbed nor injured, according to a statement from UIC spokesperson Brian Flood. “The area has been secured, and there is no threat to the campus community,” the statement said.

A Trench Coat, a Butcher Knife, and a Charge Across the Floor

What happened inside the building is still being pieced together, but witnesses described a sudden, violent confrontation. UIC freshman Jonathan Uribe, 18, told the Tribune he was asleep in his dorm when his roommate shook him awake just after noon, pacing and panicking. His roommate had been in the student center with another dormmate, grabbing food, when a bottle flew past their heads. They didn’t think much of it. Then, out of nowhere, the assailant opened his trench coat and pulled out what Uribe described as a “big butcher knife,” and started running at them.

UIC student arrested after attempted stabbing forces evacuation of Student Center East

His roommate tried to run but slipped, and before he knew it the suspect was over him, trying to attack him, Uribe relayed. The roommate fought back and eventually ran away unscathed. “It’s a crazy situation,” Uribe said. “You don’t expect it to happen. It’s like every other day. We already go get food from the same spot. Relax, laugh, talk, make jokes, and just study. But today was a turn of events.”

Evacuation, Police Tape, and a Building Shut for the Day

The university first alerted the campus around 12:40 p.m., telling people to avoid the area as police activity was reported on the second floor of the tower, NBC Chicago reported. By about 1:30 p.m., the school ordered an evacuation of Student Center East and told anyone not on campus to stay away. Yellow police tape stretched across the front of the building as dusk set in, with UIC police, Chicago police squad cars, and federal authorities on scene. The building remained closed for the rest of the evening, with all business operations suspended, though no classes were canceled and other campus operations continued as normal.

Chicago police did not answer questions about their officers’ response, saying only that they did not have additional information. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed to the Tribune that ATF was at UIC supporting campus police, and FBI agents could also be seen entering the building, though neither agency released details on why. The Chicago Fire Department said crews responded for a Level 1 hazardous materials call, but by 4:10 p.m. the scene had been cleared with no injuries or transports.

“This Is America”

For students who live in the same dorm suite, the attack landed close to home. Kaleb Miller, who shares the suite with Uribe and his roommate, told the Tribune he believes the attack was an isolated incident. “This is America,” Miller said. “Stuff like this happens all the time. I just feel more privileged, if anything, that this is rare on our campus.”

Uic police response
Photo: nbcchicago.com

That sense of disruption is what makes the location matter. Student Center East is where students eat, study, and gather daily, and the fact that an ordinary trip to grab food turned into a life-threatening moment is exactly what rattled witnesses like Uribe, who said his roommate was distraught and panicking when he woke him.

What Is Still Not Known

As of Wednesday night, key questions remain unanswered. UIC police and Chicago police have not publicly explained why federal authorities responded, what the suspect’s motive was, or what charges the student in custody faces. The university said updates will be shared as they become available, but the investigation is ongoing and Student Center East remains closed while it continues.

More on Student Center East

Person in custody after attempted stabbing at UIC causes evacuation of student center
UIC police investigate attempted stabbing; 1 student in custody
Police: Student tried to use 'incendiary device' before attempted stabbing on UIC campus

Worth a look

Read next