By Gavin Mackintosh-
A 24-year-old man, Alex Ophel, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault, and one count of possessing an object to be used to kill.
The charges stem from a violent attack in which Ophel allegedly stabbed two female students and assaulted two male students on the ANU campus.
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A student is fighting for life and another is in hospital after a horror stabbing at an Australian university.
The disturbing incident occurred around 2:40 pm on Monday at Fellows Oval on the ANU campus.
According to the police, Alex Ophel, who is an ex student, proceeded to stab a female student multiple times before chasing and stabbing another female student.
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A second male student was also assaulted during the attack. While the two female victims were rushed to the hospital, the male victims did not require hospitalization.
Notably, two of the victims were international students, and the other two were domestic students.
Legal Proceedings and Mental Health Assessment
Following his arrest soon after the incident, Alex Ophel appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court. During his brief court appearance, no application for bail was made, and Ophel did not enter any pleas.
As a result, he was remanded in custody, and a mental health assessment was ordered. The case is set to return to court in the coming month.
Uncovering Motive and Investigation
One critical aspect that has yet to be determined is the motive behind Alex Ophel’s attack on the ANU campus.
ACT police officers are actively investigating how Ophel gained access to the campus and what may have triggered this violent outburst.
Acting Superintendent Stephanie Leonard acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, “We have been unable to establish a motive at this time, the man’s movements and how he came to be at ANU are currently subject to the police investigation.”
The Role of ANU and Community Response
In response to the shocking incident, ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Sally Wheeler emphasized that the university had no prior knowledge of any threat to the community.
The attack has left many students “upset and angry,” with concerns about campus safety. Ben Yates, a representative from the ANU Students’ Association, stressed the importance of students feeling safe on campus, which serves as their place of study and residence.
In an email sent to all staff and students, ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian Schmidt expressed gratitude for the support offered within the university community.
He acknowledged the severity of the situation, with two students still hospitalized, and expressed well wishes for their recovery.
Schmidt also recognized the quick response from campus security and police and the individuals who intervened to help during the attack.
While legal proceedings are underway, the investigation into the motive behind this attack continues.
The ANU community has come together to support one another during this difficult time.
Students, staff, and passers-by who intervened to help have shown resilience and compassion in the face of this tragedy.
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