Oct. 13 update: "Our patient is now out of the intensive care unit and out of danger—and she is in good condition," said Dr. Henry Gill Cryer, professor and chief of trauma surgery, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

 

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UCLA police and the Los Angeles Police Department are continuing to investigate the Oct. 8 stabbing of a UCLA senior in a campus teaching lab.

 

The suspect, arrested shortly after the incident, has been identified as Damon Thompson, a 20-year-old UCLA senior majoring in biochemistry. The LAPD booked Thompson on suspicion of attempted murder. He is being held on $1 million bail.

 

The 20-year-old victim is being treated at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for multiple stab wounds, including wounds to the neck. An LAPD news release said she is expected to recover. Her family asked that the following statement be released:

 

"The 20-year-old victim of yesterday's stabbing on the UCLA campus is showing signs of improvement, and her surgeons expect a good result as she continues to heal. Her parents wish to express their thanks to everyone for their concern and also wish to extend their gratitude to the police and emergency responders and appreciation to the UCLA medical team for the excellent medical care she is receiving at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center."

 

UCLA Chancellor Gene D. Block visited the victim in the hospital on Oct. 9 and extended wishes for a speedy recovery on behalf of the campus community.

 

"She has demonstrated extraordinary courage, and I'm pleased her condition has improved," Block said.

 

Block lauded the swift response of campus police and emergency medical technicians, and he singled out a teaching assistant who helped to staunch the victim's bleeding and keep her conscious before emergency crews arrived.

 

"I'm enormously proud of the heroic actions of everybody involved under exceptionally traumatic circumstances," Block said. "They deserve acknowledgement and praise from the entire campus community."

 

While Thompson was known to the UCLA student affairs office prior to the incident, privacy laws preclude the campus from discussing it.

 

UCLA police received a report of a stabbing in a chemistry teaching lab on the sixth floor of Young Hall at approximately 12:20 p.m. on Oct. 8. Officers and emergency medical technicians were on the scene within three minutes.

 

Police said they are releasing no additional information regarding motive or the circumstances leading to the stabbing until the investigation is complete.

 

UCLA police requested LAPD assistance due to the large number of potential witnesses to be interviewed. More than 30 students may have information, police said.

 

Young Hall has reopened, and classes and other activities have resumed normal schedules.

 

Campus psychological counselors are being made available to students.

 

Anyone with information is requested to contact the UCLA police at 310-825-9371 or the LAPD tip line at 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

 

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