Students and staff respond to arrest of suspect in University of Idaho students’ killings

On Dec. 30, a suspect was taken into custody in connection to the ongoing investigation of the November killings of four University of Idaho students last month.

The 28-year-old man arrested was Bryan Christopher Kohberger, according to state and local officials and court documents.  

Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania on an active arrest warrant for murder in the first degree of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

CNN reported authorities narrowed their investigation to Kohberger by tracing his ownership of a white Hyundai Elantra and matching his DNA to genetic material recovered at the off-campus house where the stabbings took place. 

Kohberger is a graduate student in criminal justice and criminology at Washington State University.

WSU is located roughly seven miles from U of I. 

According to the New York Times, Chief James Fry of the Moscow Police Department said investigators are actively searching for more evidence of the case, including what weapon was used in the killings, as well as any possible motive in the attack.

The New York Times live updates reported the family of Ethan Chapin, one of the four victims, issued a statement saying they were “relieved this chapter is over.” 

The family said they had learned that a suspect had been identified from the authorities and they were grateful to the police for their work.

In an email response to the news of an alleged suspect being arrested, Utah State University Police Chief Blair Barfuss said, “Many USU and Logan community members have followed this case closely and expressed concern and fear for their safety and security. News of an arrest helps our USU and Logan community better understand how USU and all public safety agencies work collaboratively with city, state and federal law enforcement partners to properly investigate any criminal action that may occur, and bring offenders to justice as expeditiously as possible.”

Aleah Card, a USU student from Idaho Falls, said she thinks U of I students probably feel much safer now that a suspect has been arrested for the killings. 

The Moscow university is smaller than USU, and, according to Card, has a very “small-town feel” to it. She said this whole situation was probably very hard and shocking for students there.

“I also feel like most USU students feel a lot of relief too, like the ones that were aware of the situation, just because it was something that affected students at a university in a neighboring state,” Card said. “It kind of makes you reflect, because we’re all in that same state of life as those people, and so it’s something that kind of hits a little bit closer to home.”

USU junior Malynn Smith is from Nampa, Idaho. She said many of her friends and people she went to high school with attend U of I.

Smith said it was hard for those students to attend school when they felt unsafe, sad and nervous. 

Smith said she thinks it is important for USU students to take their own safety precautions when it comes to dealing with people. 

“We’re in college trying to make friends and meet people, but still make sure you don’t let your guard down completely to random strangers,” Smith advised. 

Barfuss confirmed the USU Department of Public Safety is also continually working to improve campus safety. 

“We communicate through the Aggie Safe phone app and provide safety alerts or concerns for our campus community through text message, phone messages, computer alerts, and digital signage on campus,” he said.

Card suggested sharing your location with your close friends, letting people know your whereabouts, and communicating regularly with those close to you. 

Smith said she knows that she, as well as everyone else, is glad a suspect was caught. 

“I think it’s a sigh of relief, especially because it’s just kind of a random thing that happened. So yeah, it happened up there, but stuff like that could happen literally anywhere. And so I think it’s just a relief to have someone unsafe caught,” Smith said.

-Kate.Stewart@usu.edu