On Thursday, my father texted me when I was preparing my essay for Ethics class. He asked me if I knew what happened at my cousin’s school. I told him no. When he told me, I was so horrified that I texted my cousin immediately, and asked if he was okay. Thankfully he was. He’s a student at University of California – Merced, and told me about an incident involving a stabber on the campus grounds.

On Wednesday, a student named Faisal Mohammad attacked students and a construction worker, stabbing his victims with a knife. He was shot by police before going on what could have been a massive rampage, according to a “manifesto” that was discovered by medical examiners on his body, as well as materials discovered in his backpack. It gave detailed plans including obtaining a firearm from responding officers and using it to shoot other people on the school campus. In his backpack, the police found various tools, such as zip-ties, duct tape, a hammer, a night scope, and other stuff to carry out his plans. Mohammed’s motive was also known: he was getting revenge from being kicked out of a study group. His manifesto listed the specific names of students and his course of action against them. To everyone else, however, he did not seem like the type of person to carry out these actions.

Supposedly, ISIS got wind of the attack and has publicly praised it, stating, "May Allah accept him," though any affiliation to the group that Mohammed may have is unlikely. His manifesto, however, is said to contain references and praises to Allah.

Fortunately, none of the four victims were fatally injured: two of the four were released from the hospital on the same day, another underwent surgery for a collapsed lung, and a final still remains in the hospital.

With the aftermath over, classes are back in session. Though more information will inevitably be found in the coming days, it seems, for now, the situation is over.

The picture below shows a vigil held at the school.