4 injured in random stabbings on the campus of Louisiana Tech University

A graduate student was one of four people injured Monday in random stabbings on the campus of Louisiana Tech University, officials said.

Jacoby Johnson, also identified by the school as a student, was arrested after the attack outside the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center on the school’s campus in Ruston, the university said in a statement.

“This appears to be a random act of violence,” the school said.

The victims were stabbed as they were leaving the center, the statement said.

“The suspect then fled south toward main campus and was apprehended by campus police without incident,” it said.

University police learned of the stabbings at 9:08 a.m. and had the suspect in custody four minutes later, officials said.

Of the four victims, one was flown to nearby Shreveport, Louisiana, two were taken to a local hospital, and the other refused treatment. One victim was in critical condition at Northern Louisiana Medical Center shortly before noon local time. Two others were in serious but stable condition, according to the university.

The remaining three victims were not students, officials said.

The suspect was treated at Northern Louisiana Medical Center for injuries he sustained in the initial incident, the school said.

Johnson was at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on Monday on four counts of second-degree attempted murder, jail records showed.

Neither Johnson nor his relatives could be reached for comment Monday afternoon. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney.

Antonio Planas

Antonio Planas is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

Madelyn Urabe

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