(5MinNewsBreak.com) – ALERT: A knife-wielding attacker sent the University of Virginia campus into panic mode this week, forcing a shelter-in-place order and leaving one victim fighting for their life.
The 44-year-old suspect, Edward Conlin Lee, was apprehended after fleeing on foot, marking the second campus lockdown in a single week at the university.
The stabbing occurred around 4:30 p.m. near 100 Emmet Street on the UVA campus in Charlottesville.
University officials immediately issued emergency alerts instructing the campus community to “RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.” as authorities tracked the suspect.
Law enforcement quickly mobilized to locate Lee, who has no known affiliation with the university.
The middle-aged white male from Charlottesville was detained after attempting to flee the scene, allowing authorities to lift the campus-wide shelter-in-place order by 5:45 p.m.
One victim sustained serious stab wounds during the attack and was rushed to UVa Health University Medical Center, where they remain in critical condition.
At the moment, police have not disclosed whether the victim is a student or faculty member.
The swift police response prevented what could have been a more devastating incident, though questions remain about UVA’s campus security.
This was the second shelter-in-place order issued at the university in the same week following an unrelated incident involving a traffic stop.
Moreover, Charlottesville police have taken over the investigation since the stabbing happened within city jurisdiction.
As of late Thursday, investigators had not revealed any motive for the attack, leaving the campus community on edge despite the suspect’s capture.
The incident adds to growing concerns about campus safety nationwide. While many schools focus resources on preventing mass shootings, this attack highlights the ongoing threat posed by other forms of violence that can strike without warning.
UVA officials confirmed that the suspect, who is now in police custody, will face serious charges for the attack. The university has mobilized counseling resources for students and staff traumatized by the incident.
As the victim fights for recovery in the hospital, the campus community remains vigilant. UVA has pledged to review security protocols in light of having two serious safety incidents in such close succession.
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