Joao Souza stabbed to death at Binghamton University; another student in custody

After an intensive manhunt Monday in the wake of a 19-year-old Binghamton University engineering student's stabbing death, the suspect was taken into custody by university police.

Joao Souza, a freshman at BU, was stabbed at Windham Hall on BU's campus around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. He was taken to UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City by Harpur's Ferry ambulance and pronounced deceased.

On Monday night, fellow BU student Michael Roque, 20, of Massapequa, New York, was charged with second-degree murder at Broome County Jail. Roque pleaded not guilty and was remanded to jail.

Binghamton University Police Chief Timothy Faughnan said a "massive investigation" unfolded in the aftermath of the tragedy.

"Throughout the investigation, it became quickly evident to us that this was not a random act," Faughnan said of the stabbing during a news conference Monday.

More: After manhunt at Binghamton University, suspect arrested in Joao Souza's stabbing death

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Surveillance video images of the suspect were released by BU police Monday afternoon. During a 5 p.m. news conference, Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell said the suspect was being held on campus grounds and criminal charges were expected.

Throughout the day, an increased law enforcement presence remained visible on campus. New York State Police and Broome County District Attorney's and Broome County Sheriff's offices have assisted BU police in search efforts for evidence. New York State Forest Rangers and the Department of Environmental Conservation also assisted the search.

Investigators were interviewing witnesses since the overnight hours and by mid-morning Monday, a team of police officers was methodically searching areas of the campus around Windham Hall for evidence.

On Monday, BU officials reached Souza's family in Brazil to deliver the news of his death.

"We feel incredible pain and sorrow but can't even imagine their despair," Brian Rose, BU Vice President of Student Affairs, said Monday.

BU's classes were canceled Monday, but were expected to resume Tuesday.

UPDATES FROM BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY: Watch below as officials provide updates on the stabbing and investigation:

According to The Journal News/lohud.com, Souza graduated from Blind Brooke-Rye Union Free School District in Rye Brook, New York last year and was a star soccer player.

Jonathan Ross, superintendent of the Blind Brook school district, confirmed to The Journal News/lohud.com that Souza graduated from the district's high school last year, but could not comment further.

Sammy Landino, a fellow 2017 Blind Brook graduate now a freshman at Yale University told The Journal News/lohud.com, that he was one of Souza’s first friends in the district.

He and Souza were in middle school when Souza and his family moved to the area from Brazil. A middle-school guidance counselor asked Landino to show the new student around.'

More: Blind Brook High School grad Joao Souza stabbed to death at Binghamton University; suspect caught

“I showed him the ropes and introduced him to people,” Landino said Monday. “He was a great guy, always smiling and cracking jokes.”

Landino, a theater student at Blind Brook, said he wasn’t surprised that Souza joined the stage crew for their sophomore year production of “West Side Story.”

“The guy loved people and stage crew was a great way to meet others and be involved with the school,” Landino said.

When he thinks of his friend, Landino said, “I think of a great man, a stellar athlete, an all-around infectious guy who could always make you laugh and connect with you.”

The news of Souza’s death left Landino in shock.

“All of this senseless violence is just absolutely horrifying,” he said.

As he walked outside the Couper Administration Building on Monday morning, 21-year-old Conrad Taylor, a December 2017 graduate of BU who also serves on Binghamton City Council, described this tragedy is 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,” Taylor said. “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.”

“The thoughts of all SUNY students are with the Binghamton University family today," SUNY Student Assembly President and SUNY Trustee Marc J. Cohen said in a statement Monday. "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 is the second homicide involving a BU student this year and the fourth homicide to occur in Broome County for 2018. Haley Anderson, 22, was killed at an Oak Street residence in Binghamton in March. Orlando Tercero, a fellow nursing student at BU, has been charged with second-degree murder in her death and is awaiting extradition from Nicaragua.

In December 2009, Richard T. Antoun, an emeritus professor of anthropology, was stabbed to death on campus by a graduate student.

And in December of 2007, Anders Uwadinobi was killed after sustaining blows to the chest in an on-campus boxing match with another student in a dorm room in Mohawk Hall. The student involved in the match was not charged with a crime.

More: Haley Anderson friend: Tragedy a reminder of the impact you leave on others

More: Orlando Tercero, suspect in Haley Anderson murder, arrested by Nicaragua police

More: Police Report: Haley Anderson suspected Tercero slashed her tires, months before her death

More: Haley Anderson, slain Binghamton U. nursing student, remembered as 'a beacon of joy'

Anyone with information about Sunday's homicide is asked to contact Binghamton University Police at 607-777-2393.

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.

BU officials said 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.

Follow @MaggieGilroy and @PSBABorrelli on Twitter.

Reporters Colleen Wilson and Peter D. Kramer contributed to this story.

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