ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Police have arrested Lagarien Thomas, 33, who stabbed a victim at a construction site on the campus of the University of Michigan.
University of Michigan Police Deputy Chief and PIO Melissa Overton told Local 4, after our newscast went off the air, that the suspect was arrested via email.
The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) issued an emergency alert to the campus community at 6:20 p.m. following a stabbing near Catherine Street and Zina Pitcher Place.
Police said Thomas attempted to enter the construction site of the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion.
After being denied entry, officials said Thomas assaulted an individual.
Thomas is believed to be armed and dangerous. After taking off, he was never seen again.
Jacob Reich told Local 4 that he saw a long trail of blood as he left his dorm right across the street at Couzens Hall.
“We didn’t really think it was blood. We thought it was paint or something. Then it was like scary that no one had gotten there to deal with it,” said Reich.
An emergency alert was issued by the University of Michigan’s division of public safety and security, advising students to be cautious and remain vigilant.
That alert was sent out around 6:20 pm.
Surprisingly, many students were still walking around campus even though the suspect is still out there.
“I mean, I think it’s dangerous. But I realize things happen, so people have to get where they have to get,” Reich said.
Some students were walking in groups to feel safe.
While Officers are actively searching for the suspect at this point, they are also questioning people nearby.
They’re asking folks to avoid the area altogether until this person of interest is found.
“This person could still be around the area, so we wanted to stick together, yeah,” Reich said.
We are working to find out more about the person stabbed.
Right now, there’s no indication that it was a student.
Out of an abundance of caution, DPSS advises community members to continue avoiding the area until further notice.
A photo of the suspect has been posted on the DPSS social media X account.