After a 'random act of violence,' Louisiana Tech stabbing victim Annie Richardson dies
One of four victims of a stabbing on a Louisiana college campus thought to be a "random act of violence" by officials died at the hospital on Tuesday.
Annie Richardson, one of four people attacked on the campus of Louisiana Tech University on Monday morning, died in a nearby hospital on Tuesday afternoon, confirmed Ronny Walker, mayor of Ruston, which is about 70 miles east of Shreveport, Louisiana.
The attack occurred on an outside walkway and in a parking lot after the victims left an exercise class at the university's Lambright Sports and Wellness Center.
Police arrested Jacoby Johnson, a 23-year-old senior at the university, without incident after he fled to the main campus after the attack, according to Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers. The weapon used was a 4-inch blade, Rogers said.
Johnson was charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder and booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
Two women were transported to the hospital, one was airlifted, while another, a retired teacher, refused treatment following the attack. Richardson died at a hospital in Shreveport, around 70 miles from the site of the attack.
The victims, all women, included a class instructor and three class attendees aged 62, 65, 72 and 23. One, identified as Dominique McKane, was a graduate student and the others were non-students.
Rogers said an issue with Johnson was reported around a week before the attack. Police are not aware of a motive for the stabbing and an investigation is ongoing.
The university's enrollment of 11,000 is around half of Ruston's population of 22,000.
Ruston mayor gives new info on Louisiana Tech stabbings
4 stabbed on Louisiana Tech campus. School calls it 'random act of violence'
Prayers for family of dead victim
In a press release, LA Tech President Les Guice said, “My prayers are with Annie’s husband Peter, the entire Richardson family, and all who called Annie a friend. Our Tech family will feel the pain of this incident for some time but we are fortunate to have such a caring community to rely upon as we grieve together.”
Richardson was a Louisiana-based artist who worked primarily in mixed media on campus, according to her website. She lived in Ruston and exhibited her work around the state of Louisiana.
Guice earlier said in a statement that the university would "make safety a priority."
"While we're grateful for the timely care being provided to the victims, we understand the shock and worry that may linger on campus and in the community."
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Annie Richardson dies in Shreveport hospital after LA Tech stabbing
