Mental illness cited in stabbings

AUSTIN, Texas — The man suspected of stabbing four students at the University of Texas, one fatally, suffered from mental health troubles and had been involuntarily committed for treatment in another city, authorities said Tuesday.

University Police Chief David Carter said Kendrex J. White was “obviously” suffering from some kind of mental difficulties, but Carter did not elaborate on the suspect’s condition or treatment.

“This was not a conspiracy. This was not a person that had a vendetta against any particular group,” Carter said.

White, 21, who was enrolled at the Austin campus, was armed with a large hunting knife. He was described by former classmates as intelligent and easygoing, and was active in a student group for black professionals.

Two of the people wounded in Monday’s attack were treated at hospitals and released, and a third remained hospitalized Tuesday, university President Greg Fenves said.

The student who was fatally stabbed was identified as freshman Harrison Brown. Fenves described him as a talented musician who had not yet decided on a major. The president met with Brown’s family Tuesday morning.

“His family and our community will never be able to hear Harrison play and sing again,” Fenves said.

Brown was the first person to be stabbed as White struck a path across a plaza in the heart of campus, authorities said. The area is near a gym and recreation center and one of the school’s largest dorm and classroom complexes.

Before the attacks, White was seen in the student activity center “appearing normal,” police said. As he left there, he kicked a woman as if to get her out of his way, the police chief said.

Wielding a “Bowie-style” knife, White attacked Brown, then stabbed in the back of the head another man who was sitting at a picnic table, authorities said. A third man was stabbed while waiting in line at a food truck before White assaulted a fourth victim, Carter said.

White, still holding the knife, walked into a dormitory but did not attack anyone else, police said. He was apprehended shortly after. Officers were on the scene about 90 seconds after receiving the first call, a response that officials believe saved lives, Carter said.

White was charged with murder, and more charges are expected, acting Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said.

The attack occurred along a tree-covered avenue that is a major thoroughfare for students walking to and from class. It’s also a short walk from the administration building and the landmark clock tower that was the scene of a mass shooting in 1966. It also is not far from where freshman Haruka Weiser was killed while walking home from class in April 2016.

The plaza was reopened to foot traffic by Tuesday morning. Senior Montana Moore took flowers to place on the tables. Someone else left candles at the shooting scene.

“I don’t want people to walk by this today and be scared or feel a sense of horror,” Moore said. “Maybe when people walk by, maybe it will bring a little hope to them. … There’s been a lot of tragedy on campus in my time here.”

Some students complained that school officials were slow to use the school’s emergency alert system. Many of them first learned of the attacks through news reports and social media.