Two roommates were home at the time that an assailant killed four University of Idaho students in the King Road apartment, Moscow Police announced Wednesday at a press conference.
The roommates were also present when police arrived, responding to a 911 call at 11:58 a.m. about an unconscious person.
Chief of Police James Fry was unable to confirm whether it was one of the roommates that made the call and said they do not know why calls came in at noon rather than earlier that morning. Police estimate the murders occurred around 3-4 a.m.
Dozens of reporters crammed into a modest-sized room at the Moscow Police Department, ready to ask questions that have been unanswered since the discovery of four dead students Sunday. With a three-day gap since, Fry admitted the press conference should have come sooner.
“We should have been standing here a day ago,” Fry said.
Saturday night, Madison Mogen and Kaylee GonCalves were out at a bar according to police. Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were at an on-campus party.
Fry could not comment as to where the victims were found in the home and whether they were found together.
The door may have been unlocked when the assailant arrived, as there was no sign of forced entry. No items have been identified as missing that would point towards a robbery.
Idaho State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been a part of the investigation.
“It is vitally important we get the information we have out there,” Idaho State Police Director Kedrick Wills said.
Fry reiterated the belief of an isolated, targeted incident.
“We cannot say there is no threat to the community,” he said.
Fry was unable to specify why the MPD believed it was targeted but emphasized there was care and thought put behind the belief.
As for affirming whether it is safe, “There could still be a threat out there,” Fry said.
Previously, Mayor Art Bettge has described the homicides as a “crime of passion,” despite lacking information to back the claim. While Fry did not deny the potential, he said it could not be confirmed.
Reporters inquired about a past incident on campus of a man threatening students with a knife on Paradise Path back on Sept. 12. The man was apprehended at the time and identified as not being affiliated with the university. When asked, Fry said there was not a connection that they were aware of.
University of Idaho Dean of Students Blaine Eckles has been in communication with the victims’ families.
“I have been talking to parents of students who have died,” Eckles said. “It’s the absolute worst part of my job.”
Eckles said the university has increased its security and has been utilizing its Safe Walk program to help students walk on campus. Hells Canyon Security has been hired to provide additional security with unarmed guards.
As for the decision to continue classes for the week, UI President Scott Green said they have been listening to what students want. Students that do not want to attend class can reach out and obtain excused absences, according to Green.
“It’s not a situation our close, tight-knit community is used to dealing with,” Green said.
He expressed his condolences to the families, choking up as he listed the victims’ names. Green commended UI faculty and staff for supporting students through this difficult time.
“Our faculty stood up when our students needed them,” Green said.
With many students leaving campus, UI’s vigil has been rescheduled to Nov. 30.
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq
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Eckles said that the man threatening students with a knife had turned himself in.