A Binghamton University student was charged in the fatal stabbing of a classmate in his dorm room, authorities said Monday.
Police apprehended Michael Roque, 20, at his door room after an hours-long manhunt, Broome County District Attorney Stephen Cornwell told reporters. He was charged with murder in the death of Joao Souza, 20.
Roque, of Massapequa, pleaded not guilty and is being held at the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility.
Souza, an engineering student, was found with stab wounds inside the Windham Hall residence suite at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday. He later died at a local hospital.
“Throughout the investigation, it became quickly evident to us that this was not a random act,” Binghamton University Police Chief Timothy Faughnan said earlier.
Authorities didn’t provide further details about Roque.
“Throughout the investigation, it became quickly evident to us that this was not a random act,” Binghamton University Police Chief Timothy Faughnan said earlier.
Souza moved to the U.S. with his parents from Brazil when he was in middle school, the Journal News reported.
Binghamton University officials tracked down Souza’s parents who were in Brazil.
Binghamton University student Joao Souza, 19, was found with stab wounds inside a residence suite in Windham Hall on April 15. He later died at a hospital.
( Facebook)
“We feel incredible pain and sorrow, we can’t even imagine their despair,” BU Student Affairs Vice President Brian Rose said on behalf of the family. “The family has requested privacy for Joao, and I ask you to respect their wishes.”
The school canceled Monday classes after the killing.
Sammy Landino, a Yale University student, was one of Souza’s first friends when they attended Blind Brook High School in Rye Brook, N.Y.
He said they became close after a guidance counselor paired him with Souza when he arrived at the school from Brazil.
Authorities are investigating why the 19-year-old was stabbed to death in his dorm room.
(Press Connects / Lohud)
“I showed him around the school and introduced him to people,” Landino told the Daily News. “We were always pals because of that.”
Landino, 19, described Souza as a star soccer player who had a contagious smile.
“Joao was a great player, and so fun to watch as a fan,” he said. “He loved soccer and he loved people. He always made you feel, when you were talking to him, like he always knew you.”
“And I think everyone really appreciated that,” Landino added.
With Nicole Hensley
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