Alexandra Samuels

The University of Texas at Austin

Meechaiel Khalil Criner, a 17-year-old homeless male, is the sole suspect in the death of University of Texas-Austin freshman Haruka Weiser, the Austin Police Department said Friday.

A collaborative police investigation aided by tips from members of the community led to Criner's arrest Thursday, and he will be charged with first-degree murder Friday.

"We are very certain that the suspect we have in custody is responsible for the death of this beautiful woman,” Art Acevedo, chief of the Austin Police, said during Friday's news conference on Criner's arrest.

During the news conference, Acevedo outlined the timeline of events. He noted that a surveillance video released by the Austin Police Department (APD) proved pivotal in moving the investigation forward as members of the community recognized Criner from a trash fire that occurred Tuesday.

The Austin Fire Department responded to the call of a trash fire Tuesday and the homeless teen, who had not been identified as the suspect at that time, was transported by APD to the nearby LifeWorks, a non-profit organization that provides counseling and supportive housing. He had a woman's bike in his possession, which APD confiscated and now believe belonged to Weiser, according to Acevedo.



TIMELINE: University of Texas-Austin student death

Both the Austin Fire Department and the woman who reported the trash fire recognized Criner from the surveillance video -- which showed him riding the bike --- and notified APD, who were able to connect the dots when they returned to the scene of the fire and discovered a number of items related to the case, he said.

APD arrested Criner at the LifeWorks center Thursday. At the time, he had a small duffle bag in his possession that police believe belonged to Weiser. He was booked in Travis County Jail and, according to Acevedo, is the sole suspect in the case.

“We feel better that the suspect is in custody, but we continue to grieve … we need your support,” Acevedo said Friday.

Weiser, an 18-year-old theatre and dance major from Portland, Ore., was reportedly last seen Sunday. Her body was found Tuesday afternoon in Waller Creek on UT-Austin's campus, and APD later confirmed her death was a homicide.

"She was really kind and just good things," UT student Susannah Crowell told KVUE. "It changes the whole dynamic and everyone's just kind of thinking twice about getting out of a group any time on campus when the sun goes down."

This is the first homicide at UT-Austin since the 1966 mass shooting on campus, Acevedo noted. The motive remains unknown at this time, but Acevedo said he anticipates more charges will be filed against Criner. He also noted that the investigation remains active and ongoing.

A photo of Criner will be released Friday afternoon. The Austin Police Department has asked anyone who recognizes Criner to contact them at 512-472-8477.

Contributing: Taylor Maycan, USA TODAY College



Alex Samuels is a University of Texas-Austin student and USA TODAY College breaking news writer.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.