Officials have revealed that the man killed with a knife in Sycamore Park in Davis was a student at UC Davis.
The individual who authorities discovered just after 9 p.m. on Saturday has been identified as 20-year-old UC Davis student and Davis High School alumnus Karim Abou Najm.
According to the Davis Police Department, his death is being looked into as a possible homicide.
Police used drones and hounds to look for the offender, but they were unsuccessful. Authorities characterized the suspect as a male with long, wavy, and loose hair, standing between 5′ 7″ and 5′ 8″, and being between the ages of 19 and 23.
The suspect’s final outfit was a white cap, a light-colored T-shirt, and a button-up shirt. He apparently had straight handlebars and was riding a men’s bike.
The tweet below confirms the news:
The man stabbed to death in Sycamore Park in Davis has been identified as a UC Davis student. Karim Abou Najm is a 20-year-old UC Davis student and graduate of Davis High School. His death is being investigated as a homicide. https://t.co/ys64U7bv2l
— Anthony Volkar (@ucdvolkie) April 30, 2023
Second unsolved homicide in four days shakes Davis community
The fatal stabbing on Saturday night in Davis’ parks was the city’s second unsolved homicide in the previous four days.
The community’s “Compassion Guy,” 50-year-old David Breaux, was assassinated in Central Park on Thursday.
According to a press release from the Davis Police Department, “There are no known connections between the victims; investigators are still determining whether the incidents are linked. However, there are common factors between these two brutal crimes, such as the brutal nature of the crimes and that the suspect probably used a knife.
The inquiry is being conducted by the FBI, the California Department of Justice, and other law enforcement organizations.
The consecutive crimes in Davis have some residents feeling uneasy.
Is this safe for my child right now, you wonder? Coving Oler, a neighbor in the vicinity, said “I told my dad, I don’t want him going out and walking around, especially in parks.”
Though it might take some time, some people think that sense of security will eventually return.
“Everyone needs counselors, so I hope the city will get them. Two killings in two or three days are terrible, so it will take some time, said Lisa Rogers, another neighbor in the region.
Near the scene, a person of interest who closely matched the suspect’s description was taken into custody and booked on unrelated, unfulfilled warrants. Officials in Davis have not confirmed that this is the murder suspect.
According to officials, more police have been added to guard the areas around parks and schools.
On Saturday, the Davis Joint Union School District released a message to the public. Part of it reads:
“Karim attended Davis Senior High School for 11th and 12th grades. We offer our sincere condolences to Karim’s family and friends. It is normal for people to experience a range of emotions when something like this happens. All schools will be open tomorrow on a normal bell schedule. Principals and counselors at all school sites will hold a safety briefing with staff prior to school opening to reinforce safety protocols, increased supervision, and to be prepared for students who may have fears about being at school. Experiencing this kind of violence in our community can be extremely upsetting. If you, or your student feels in need of support, please visit our DJUSD Mental Health and Wellness page for resources, or submit a student social-emotional support form.“
Authorities are urging people to be mindful of their surroundings and to come forward with any information they may have regarding these crimes or the suspect.
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