A 19‑year‑old Santa Rosa, Calif., man has been accused of fatally stabbing an acquaintance during a fight Sunday night at a Sonoma State University residence hall in Rohnert Park.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that Tyler J. Bratton has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of a 26‑year‑old Sonoma County resident. Neither of the two was a student at the college, Petaluma police say.
The victim’s name has not been disclosed.
The two men were on campus to visit friends when an altercation arose just before 6 p.m. Sunday in Sauvignon Village, a student housing complex for freshmen students.
The victim was found in an upstairs apartment of the Alicante building. Bratton was stopped in the area, detained and later arrested, police police say.
Petaluma police were called to take over the investigation. Officers recovered a knife they believed was used in the attack and a backpack connected to the suspect.
“All of us at Sonoma State are shocked and saddened by this tragic event," Sonoma State University President Judy Sakaki said. "Our hearts go out to all who’ve been impacted. Our focus today will be continuing to make sure the needs of our students and our campus community are met.”
On Sunday, the Alicante building was off limits because of the investigation. Displaced students were offered lodging at area hotels or found space with friends and family, said a university spokesman.
By Monday morning, all of the student residences were open except for the apartment where the stabbing occurred.
MORE. Video from KPIX-TV:
