A Letter to Campus on Recent Tragedies
9:52 p.m.
Suspect arraigned and charged with second degree murder
Michael M. Roque, 20, a Binghamton University student, was charged this evening with second degree murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old freshman engineering student Joao Souza.
Roque has been assigned a public defender who entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at the Broome County Central Arraignment facility.
Roque was taken to the Broome County Jail following the arraignment.
Suspect in custody; message from President Harvey Stenger
5:33 p.m.
Dear Binghamton University Community,
I am deeply saddened to write to you regarding last night's stabbing that led to the death of one of our students, Joao Souza, a 19-year-old freshman engineering student. The entire campus mourns for him. Our sympathies go out to his friends and family, as well as to his classmates and peers. A suspect is in custody. I thank our Binghamton University Police, New York State Police and the Broome County District Attorney's office for their quick work in apprehending the individual as quickly as possible.
As president, my top priority is keeping everyone in our campus community safe. I want to reaffirm to you Binghamton University's commitment to providing a safe learning environment. Unfortunately, we live in a time where violence is part of society, and, as a campus of 17,000+ students and several thousand faculty and staff, there are occasions where violence will intrude on our campus. We will continue to focus on keeping ours a safe campus, with a fully-empowered state law enforcement agency that works closely with the residential communities to protect life and property.
Part of fostering a safe campus involves quick, clear communication with the community. Over the past 18 hours we've sent a number of messages alerting parents, students and faculty and staff. However, to get the alerts, faculty and staff need to sign up for the service by going to https://www.getrave.com/login/binghamton and logging in or going to BU BRAIN in http://my.binghamton.edu to update B-Alert contact information. Subscribers can add up to three email addresses and three cell phone numbers by clicking on "My Information" and updating their information under Emergency Alert Notification (Rave Mobile Safety).
This has been a very difficult semester for me and the entire campus with two student deaths in just a few weeks. These tragedies shake us to the core and we grieve together.
President Harvey G. Stenger
President
2:19 p.m.
University statement
The University has understandably received questions with respect to what actions people on campus should be taking while a suspect remains at large. As previously stated, law enforcement believes the attack was not a random act and that the victim was targeted. University Police have the support of other law enforcement agencies that are currently on campus assisting with the investigation and with other law enforcement responsibilities. If there is any specific action that law enforcement believes people on campus should take in the interest of their safety, the University will communicate that information via the campus alert system and on the binghamton.edu/alert page. We anticipate a return to our normal schedule of classes tomorrow, April 17.
We have always offered safety advice to students living on and off campus. In reminder of those precautions – our residence halls are always locked and only residents of that building have key card access. Do not allow someone unknown to you to follow or tailgate you in. If that happens, report it to hall staff on duty or police.
In addition:
• Keep your Binghamton ID with you at all times. If your ID is lost, it should be immediately reported to University Police.
• Keep doors to your room and/or suite locked and do not share room combination/key information.
• Register for the Binghamton Alert System at https://www.getrave.com/login/binghamton or at BU BRAIN to receive emails and/or text messages about critical campus information and emergencies. You can add up to three email addresses and three cell phone numbers to your account and I encourage you to add your parents as well.
• Report any suspicious activity to University Police at 607-777-2393 or https://www.binghamton.edu/police/
1:53 p.m.
Students are encouraged to subscribe their parents to their B-Alert account by going to https://www.getrave.com/login/binghamton and logging in or going to BU BRAIN at http://my.binghamton.edu to update B-Alert contact information. Students can add up to three email addresses and three cell phone numbers by clicking on "My Information" and updating their information under Emergency Alert Notification (Rave Mobile Safety).
9:41 a.m.
Binghamton University Police and New York State Police are actively investigating the tragic stabbing that took place on campus Sunday, April 15.
At this time, the police are confident this was not a random act. If there is information that relates to the immediate welfare of students and the campus community, we will communicate it via our alert system.
The victim has been identified as Joao Souza, a 19-year-old freshman engineering student. The family has been notified and has requested privacy.
To follow the University's progress on this investigation, visit this website: https://www.binghamton.edu/alert/
For students in need of counseling services, the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team, along with the University Center (UCC) and Residential Life, can offer support. If you would like to speak to someone, reach out to the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team by calling 607-777-2804. The UCC can be reached by calling 607-777-2772. To reach a counselor after hours, students should call 607-777-2772 and select #2. In an emergency, call 911.
7:00 a.m.
Dear Campus Community,
Binghamton University is sad to report that a student has died due to a stabbing on campus that occurred at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, April 15. The deceased is a male, age 19, in his first year at Binghamton University. Further information about the deceased will be provided after his family has been notified. We are in the process of contacting them.
The suspect, described as a light-skinned male wearing dark pants and a dark, Puma hooded sweatshirt, remains at large. Additional details will be provided as soon as possible. Any information that you have should be reported to Binghamton University Police at 607-777-2393.
Investigators from multiple agencies have been interviewing numerous people throughout the night. They have reported that this does not appear to be a random act.
All classes have been canceled for today, Monday, April 16. For those in need of counseling services, the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team, along with the University Counseling Center (UCC) and Residential Life, can offer support. If you would like to speak to someone, reach out to the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team by calling 607-777-2804. The UCC can be reached by calling 607-777-2772. To reach a counselor after hours, students should call 607-777-2772 and select #2. In an emergency, call 911.
Employee Assistance Program staff are available to provide support to faculty and staff dealing with this loss. They can be reached at 607-777-6655 or 607-777-6650 during regular office hours, or an off-campus coordinator can be reached after hours by calling the 24-hour EAP call line at 1-800-822-0244.
Sincerely,
Harvey G. Stenger
President