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Joao Souza of Rye Brook was stabbed to death at a residential hall late Sunday night and the suspect, was at large until he was apprehended Monday.
Michael Roque, 20, of Massapequa in Nassau County, a fellow Binghamton University student, has been identified as the suspect who was taken into custody Monday afternoon.
Souza, a native of Brazil, was a freshman engineering student at Binghamton and 2017 graduate of Blind Brook High School, where he was a three-year starter on the varsity boys soccer team.
The stabbing occurred around 10:30 p.m. Sunday on the ground floor at Windham Hall.
Police are confident the stabbing was not a random act. A possible motive for the stabbing has not yet been released.
Classes at Binghamton were canceled on Monday. Counseling is also being provided for students.
The Blind Brook School District, where Souza graduated from last year, released the following statement:
Dear Members of the Blind Brook Community,
I regret to inform you that Joao Souza, a Blind Brook Class of 2017 graduate and Binghamton University freshman engineering student, was stabbed to death late last night. The family has been notified and has requested privacy.
The crisis team at the Middle/High School has convened and a plan is in place to provide counseling to students and staff who may be in need. Should the need arise, students may contact their guidance counselor for assistance. The MS/HS school psychologist and social worker are also available to provide assistance. If you believe your child is in need of emotional support and concerned that they will not pursue assistance independently, please contact your child's counselor directly.
Please remember Joao and his family in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Ross
Superintendent of Schools
It was the second murder of a Binghamton University student in the span of less than two months. In early March, a 21-year-old college student from Nyack found the body of her murdered housemate after becoming concerned she had not heard from her
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