ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Police have arrested Lagarien Thomas, 33, who is accused of stabbing someone at a construction site on the campus of the University of Michigan.
University of Michigan Police Deputy Chief and PIO Melissa Overton told Local 4, after our newscast went off the air, that the suspect was arrested via email.
The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) issued an emergency alert to the campus community at 6:20 p.m. following a stabbing near Catherine Street and Zina Pitcher Place.
Police said Thomas attempted to enter the construction site of the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion.
After being denied entry, officials said Thomas assaulted an individual.
Jacob Reich told Local 4 that he saw a long trail of blood as he left his dorm right across the street at Couzens Hall.
“We didn’t really think it was blood. We thought it was paint or something. Then it was like scary that no one had gotten there to deal with it,” said Reich.
An emergency alert was issued by the University of Michigan’s division of public safety and security, advising students to be cautious and remain vigilant.
That alert was sent out around 6:20 pm.
Surprisingly, many students were still walking around campus even though the suspect was still out there.
“I mean, I think it’s dangerous. But I realize things happen, so people have to get where they have to get,” Reich said.
Some students were walking in groups to feel safe.
While Officers are actively searching for the suspect at this point, they are also questioning people nearby.
“This person could still be around the area, so we wanted to stick together, yeah,” Reich said.
We are working to find out more about the person stabbed.
Right now, there’s no indication that it was a student.
A photo of the suspect was posted on the DPSS social media X account.
PHOTO RELEASE: Related to the 9/18/25 U-M Emergency Alert, an image of the stabbing suspect is provided. If you see this individual, call 911 immediately. pic.twitter.com/Z28EazSOVT
— U-M DPSS (@umichdpss) September 18, 2025
Ann Arbor: 6:21pm Stabbing occurred Catherine/Zina Pitcher. Avoid Area. Updates: https://t.co/zGBoNHtQfI https://t.co/NiSnEZV8Fz
— University of Michigan (@UMich) September 18, 2025
Previous report: