(CNN) Students at the University of California, Davis, are being asked to stay indoors as police hunt for a suspect following two fatal stabbings near campus in less than a week, officials said.
The alarming advice to students not to go out follows the killings of a UC Davis senior Saturday evening and a 50-year-old man Thursday in various parks near the college’s campus. About 40,000 students are registered at Public University in Davis, A city A 20-minute drive west of the state capital, Sacramento, has about 68,000 people.
Police received a call about a third stabbing at 11:46 p.m. Monday, according to a city news release, that “an assault occurred at a known makeshift camp” around 2nd and L streets.
The victim told police the suspect stabbed her multiple times through a tent, according to the report. She was taken to UC Davis Medical Center in critical condition.
City officials described the suspect as a light complexioned man with curly hair, thin build and 5-6 to -9 inches tall. He was wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black pants with white stripes, and carrying a brown backpack.
“The suspect fits the description of the previous stabbing incidents,” campus police said early Tuesday. They announced Shelter alert after latest attack.
The suspect in Saturday’s fatal stabbing is believed to be a “light-skinned male, possibly Hispanic,” between 19 and 23 years old and 5-feet-7-and-8 inches tall, with long curly hair, the city police in Davis said. California, said Sunday A press release.
The FBI is working with state and local law enforcement in the search for the suspect.
Additional officers have been assigned to patrol around schools and parks, the Davis Police Department said Sunday, saying it “understands the uncertainty, fear and panic in the community.”
“At this time, the community is strongly encouraged to remain vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and call the Davis Police Department if you see anyone who is violent, suspicious or who fits the description provided,” police said.
Additional campus patrols will also be added and the UC Davis Police Safe Rides program, which provides free rides and walking escorts to students on campus after dark, will expand. UC Davis Chancellor Gary May announced Sunday, calling the student’s death “deeply disturbing.”
UC Davis police announced Monday evening that the school had enlisted additional personnel A private Sacramento-based security firm.
Authorities are investigating the Monday deaths of UC Davis computer science major Karim Abo Najm in Sycamore Park and David Brooks in nearby Central Park. The tips led to some arrests, “on unrelated charges or outstanding warrants, none of these individuals were connected to the murders,” city police said.
“Although there are common factors between these two heinous crimes, the brutal nature of the crimes and the possible use of a knife by the suspect, there are no known links between the victims; investigators are still determining whether the incidents are connected,” they said.
