Binghamton University announced early Monday the 19-year-old student, who was in his first academic year, died as a result of his injury.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Police are hunting a possibly armed and dangerous suspect in the Sunday night on-campus stabbing death of a 19-year-old Binghamton University engineering student.
Joao Souza, a freshman at BU, died as a result of his injury inside residence hall Windham Hall on Binghamton University's campus around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, university officials were able to contact his parents in Brazil, to deliver the news of his death.
"We feel incredible pain and sorrow, we can't even imagine their despair," said Brian Rose, vice president of Student Affairs, during a Monday news conference.
The university canceled all classes for the day, but classes are expected to resume Tuesday.
During Monday's news conference, Binghamton University Police Chief Timothy Faughnan described a "massive investigation" with increased law enforcement presence that has unfolded — New York State Police and Broome County (N.Y.) District Attorney's and Broome County Sheriff's offices have assisted the university in search efforts for evidence.
Faughnan did not identify the suspect, and said investigators have not verified whether he is a current BU student.
The suspect fled after the killing and remains at large, according to an alert posted on the university's website. Police described him as a "light skinned male wearing dark pants and a dark hoodie."
"Throughout the investigation, it became quickly evident to us that this was not a random act," Faughnan said of the homicide, adding "it's a distinct possibility" the suspect is still armed and dangerous.
Investigators interviewed witnesses overnight. By mid-morning Monday, a team of police officers were methodically searching areas of the campus around Windham Hall for evidence.
According to The (Westchester County, N.Y.) Journal News, Souza graduated from Blind Brooke-Rye Union Free School District in Rye Brook, N.Y., last year and was a star soccer player.
Jonathan Ross, superintendent of the Blind Brook school district, confirmed to paper that Souza graduated from the district's high school last year, but could not comment further.
Conrad Taylor, 21, a December Binghamton University graduate who also serves on the Binghamton City Council, described this tragedy as heartbreaking — a disgusting crime.
“As someone who was a student until a few months ago, and someone who is still a part of the BU community, it’s tough to hear about something like this happening on campus,” said Taylor. “We’re an incredible community here at Binghamton, but we’ve faced tragedy and hardship before in different ways, and we’ve stuck together and stood by each other. I’m absolutely sure we’ll do that again.”
In a statement Monday, Marc J. Cohen, State University of New York Student Assembly president and SUNY trustee, said, "The thoughts of all SUNY students are with the Binghamton University family today. The Student Assembly is committed to ensuring no student need fear for their safety while furthering their education. We have every confidence that campus and community law enforcement will ensure that justice is served."
Sunday's stabbing marks the second homicide involving a Binghamton University student this year and the fourth homicide to occur in Broome County, N.Y., for 2018. Haley Anderson, 22, was killed at an Oak Street residence in Binghamton in March.
In December 2009, Richard T. Antoun, an emeritus professor of anthropology, was stabbed to death on campus by a graduate student.
Follow Maggie Gilroy and Anthony Borrelli on Twitter: @MaggieGilroy and @PSBABorrelli