Moscow Police said Wednesday that recent comments by the Latah County prosecutor should not be construed as new information on the ongoing homicide investigation.
This referenced a televised interview Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson had with NewsNation.
In the interview, Thompson said the residence was specifically targeted. Thompson also said there was no suspicion that drugs were involved in the murders.
Police said in the release the “generalized statements” about targeted victims and drugs “were redefined into an affirmative answer.”
“We feel his responses were messaged to support the implication that new information had been released,” the press release said. “At this time, there is no change or new information in this case, and references otherwise would be inaccurate.”
While the MPD has said it is likely the attack was targeted and the involvement of drugs is unconfirmed, Thompson gave affirmative answers to information that the MPD cannot confirm.
Speculation has continued around the Sept. 12 incident of a man on campus with a knife. A group on Paradise Path got into an argument with the man in which he brandished a folding knife. The parties dispersed and there were no injuries.
The man later turned himself in to the MPD. Police clarified that there is no connection between this past incident and the homicides.
“There is speculation, without factual backing, stoking community fears and spreading false facts,” the press release stated. “We encourage referencing official releases for accurate information and updated progress.”
Official information regarding the case can be found on the MPD’s city website.
This article was updated with additional information about Thompson’s remarks.
Haadiya Tariq can be reach at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq