By Natassia Chrysanthos and Paul Sakkal
One young woman is in a critical condition and another is in hospital after three people were stabbed at the Australian National University in Canberra on Monday afternoon.
ACT police and ambulance services were called to the university about 2.45pm following reports of the stabbing. Police apprehended a 24-year-old man at a sports field on the campus before taking him into custody.
Two young women are in hospital after a stabbing at the Australian National University.Credit: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
The two 20-year-old female students were transported to hospital, one in a critical condition and one in a stable condition, while a 34-year-old man was also assaulted and suffered minor injuries.
A statement from ACT Policing said a 24-year-old man was custody but had not been charged as of late Monday afternoon. Police do not believe the man is a student at the university, and said they were not seeking any other suspects in connection with the incident.
Police sources at the site, not permitted to speak on the record, said the attacks appeared to be random. They said the stabbings occurred at three different locations on the campus, the last of which was alongside a soccer pitch.
Police apprehended the man on the soccer pitch at Fellows Oval and have spoken to several witnesses who had a clear view of the events. More details about the incident will be revealed by police on Tuesday morning.
ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt emailed students on Monday afternoon telling them “the situation is under control” and a person was in custody.
“Three people were injured and taken to hospital and our thoughts are with their friends and families. I request you continue to stay away from Fellows Oval and Chifley Meadow as they remain an active scene of investigation,” he said.
Australian National University in Canberra.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the swift and efficient response from ACT Policing, ACT Ambulance Service and our own ANU Security team.
“I understand this incident may have caused distress among members of our community and I want to remind you that support is available. In times like these, it is essential we support one another and stay connected as a community.”
The ACT Policing statement said no specific motive for the incident had been identified.
“Any person who has mobile phone footage of the incident is urged to immediately attend City Police Station to provide that footage to police,” the statement said. Witnesses can also contact CrimeStoppers.
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