BBCA former student at the University of Surrey has been charged with attempted murder after a member of staff was shot with a crossbow on campus.
Almunthir Daqamah, 21, has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, two counts of possession of a bladed article and possession of Class B drugs.
Police said a campus safety officer in his 50s had been shot with the weapon at Manor Park Student Village in Guildford on Thursday and the victim remains in a stable condition in hospital.
Students returning to the campus on Friday told the BBC of their shock, while police called on people to “refrain from speculating” over the attack.
Liv Harvey, paramedic science student, said that her thoughts were with the injured security guard.
“The police were knocking on everyone’s doors,” she said. “We’re all very shaken. It’s a very close community here.”
Alan Jomy, an economics and data analytics student, told BBC Radio Surrey that the campus was “in shock”.
Mia Lamb, a student midwife, added: “You don’t really expect to see this on a university campus.”
‘Integrity’
Ch Supt Jon Groenen said: “We know how concerning this incident is, both for the University community and for local residents here in Guildford, and our officers are working at pace to establish the full circumstances of what occurred.”
Groenen said there was “nothing to suggest this incident is terror-related” and said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with it.
He added: “We continue to work closely with the University and at this time. I would ask people to refrain from speculating online to preserve the integrity of the investigation.”
A University of Surrey spokesperson said: “We have been informed that our colleague is now in a stable condition and our entire community is relieved to hear this news. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.
“We also want to take this opportunity to thank our Campus safety team. They responded with professionalism and courage to this incident, and their commitment to keeping this community safe is something we are deeply proud of.”
South East Coast Ambulance Service said that ambulance crews, including a critical care paramedic, attended the scene.
A spokesperson said the victim had been airlifted to a London hospital for further medical treatment.
Daqamah has been remanded in custody to appear at Guildford Magistrates’ Court later.
Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
