UC Merced stabbing suspect was from Santa Clara

An 18-year-old who recently graduated from high school in Santa Clara was identified as the University of California at Merced student who stabbed four people on campus Wednesday before being killed by campus police, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Department and school district officials.

Faisal Mohammad graduated from Adrian Wilcox High School in Santa Clara in June, Santa Clara Unified School District spokeswoman Jennifer Dericco said.

Mohammad, a freshman who majored in computer science and engineering, was shot by police after fleeing from an incident that began shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday in a classroom at the Classroom and Office Building on campus, UC Merced officials said.

The four victims — two students, a staff member and a contractor — are expected to survive their injuries, according to the university.

The campus was closed for the rest of the day Wednesday and remains closed today, UC Merced officials said.

The stabbings are being investigated by campus police with the assistance of the FBI and the sheriff’s department. Sheriff’s officials are overseeing the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

Counselors are available for students and staff at the high school today and as long as needed to provide support in light of the death, Dericco said.