SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 14, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — About nine hours after the Salt Lake City Police Department identified a person of interest in a Nov. 7 fatal stabbing near downtown Salt Lake City, the University of Utah sent out a notice of its own.
That person of interest — identifiied as 31-year-old Kidus Chane Yohannes — was seen Wednesday morning on the University of Utah campus. He was spotted about two hours prior to the time the SLCPD released his name and photo.
The U of U High Alert notice, issued at 9:57 p.m. Wednesday, said:
University of Utah Police are assisting the Salt Lake City Police Department in locating a person of interest in a recent stabbing in Salt Lake City.
The suspect was seen this morning (11 a.m.) on campus at the Marriott Library. He is considered armed and dangerous. Out of an abundance of caution, we are alerting campus and asking anyone with information to immediately call University Police Department Dispatch at 801-585-2677 or dial 911.
Campus police remind everyone to always be aware of their surroundings and to immediately report suspicious activities on campus.
The U of U’s last high alert was issued after the on-campus fatal shooting of student Lauren McCluskey on Oct. 22. The University has pledged to improve its security and alert system since then.
The stabbing for which Yohannes is being sought happened at 9:25 p.m. on Nov. 7 behind a Dollar Tree store at 477 N. 300 West. Candace Rose Samples, 20, died as a result of the stabbing.
Detectives would like to speak with Yohannes in regards to the incident. He is known to frequent the area of the Marmalade Library at 280 W. 500 North.
Yohannes may be armed and dangerous, the Wednesday news release said.
The attacks grew out of a dispute over property, SLCPD previously said.
The suspect — described by police as a Hispanic man wearing a blanket — is believed to have stabbed the two victims near a dumpster behind the business. The woman was transported to a local hospital, but died. The man was left in critical condition.
All three people were reported to be homeless, according to police information.
Anyone who sees Yohannes is asked to contact the SLCPD at 801-799-3000 and reference case number 18-205103.
