The primary suspect in the Oakland University stabbing has been arrested, while a second suspect is still at large, police announced Thursday.
Oakland University Police Chief Mark Gordon provided an update on the case in the afternoon on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. You can watch his full update in the video at the top of this article.
The stabbing happened at around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, near Van Wagoner Hall.
When police arrived, they found a man, who is not a student of the university, with multiple stab wounds. He was taken to a local hospital to be treated. Two suspects fled campus in a dark SUV.
On Thursday afternoon, Gordon identified the victim as an 18-year-old from Rochester, but did not release his name. He said the man is continuing to recover.
The primary suspect in the case was arrested during a traffic stop on Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to the chief. He is also an 18-year-old man from Rochester.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office has issued a felony warrant for assault with intent to murder, and the suspect is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, Feb. 13.
The second suspect remains at large. However, police do not believe this suspect stabbed the victim, and that the suspect arrested is the one who committed the stabbing. The chief said they were on campus because they were visiting friends in residence halls.
The suspect still at large is described as being in his early 20s, about 5′8″ to 5′10″, with chin-length dreadlocks and was wearing a black North Face jacket, black pants and white shoes with blue on the back at the time of the stabbing.
Anyone with information should contact the Oakland University Police Department at 248-370-3331.
“We believe this was a targeted event, that there’s not an ongoing threat to the community,” Gordon said.
Still, the chief encouraged students to continue to practice safety when moving around the campus, using the buddy system and calling the department if they need an escort.
The chief said the department will be increasing security presence in residence buildings during the evening hours.
Gordon also said they are working with the university’s housing department to work out communication methods during emergencies.
Police will provide more updates as they become available.