On Feb. 5 at 8:15 p.m., the Oakland University Police Department reported a stabbing on campus at the Van Wagoner House.

Van Wagoner House is located on the north end of campus near Bear Lake – between Hamlin Hall and Hill House.

Campus was placed on lockdown until 11:16 p.m. 

The victim was not an OU student and “suffered from multiple stab wounds from the altercation,” OUPD Chief Mark Gordon said. “He was let inside the building by an unknown person. He was in need of medical attention. First responders arrived, transported him to McLaren Hospital, where he’s being evaluated currently.” 

Below is the information provided by OUPD in a campus-wide email at 9:08 p.m. about the two suspects.

Suspect 1 Information:

• Sex: Male
• Age: Early 20s
• Height: 5 Feet 8 Inches – 5 feet 10 inches
• Complexion: Dark
• Hair Style: Chin-length dreadlocks
• Clothing: Black North Face jacket
• Footwear: White shoes
• Suspect Mode of Travel: By Vehicle
• Suspect Vehicle: Dark colored SUV

Suspect 2 Information:

• Sex: Male
• Age: Early 20s
• Complexion: Dark
• Hair Style: Curly hair
• Clothing: Camo jacket with a black hood
• Footwear: Black shoes
• Suspect Mode of Travel: By Vehicle
• Suspect Vehicle: Dark colored SUV

Throughout the night, Oakland University communications sent out nine separate text messages through the emergency notification text system.

“O.U. URGENT: campus lockdown, aggravated assault occurred, suspect on loose, bm dk clothing, no oth desc,” the first message at 8:26 p.m. said.

“O.U. URGENT: Aggravated assault reported on campus . Lockdown until further notice,” the second text said at 9:01 p.m.

“O.U. URGENT: Aggravated assault reported on campus. Lockdown until further notice. Visit oakland.edu for more information,” the third text said at 9:22 p.m.

The same message was then repeated at 9:52 p.m., 10:08 p.m., 10:24 p.m., 10:40 p.m. and 10:55 p.m.

“O.U. URGENT: Lockdown has been lifted except for Van Wagoner. Visit oakland.edu for updates,” the last emergency message said at 11:16 p.m.

Around 11:20 p.m., when the lockdown was lifted, OUPD sent out second a campus-wide email.

“The police department feels that it is safe to return to normal operations. The campus lockdown is lifted, with the exception of Van Wagoner,” OUPD said.

In the same message, OUPD shared campus safety tips, including staying alert, reporting unusual activity and using blue light emergency phones on campus.

The next morning, on Feb. 6 at 8:20 a.m., OUPD sent out a third campus-wide email with the title reading “Campus community advised to remain alert and aware of surroundings at all times.”

“The Oakland University Police Department has lifted the lockdown applied to Van Wagoner Hall following Thursday evening’s assault outside the building,” the message said. “Police department officials feel that it is safe for resident students to return to normal activities as an investigation into the incident continues. All campus community members should remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times as a standard safety precaution.”

The Oakland Post continues to monitor the situation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact OUPD at (248) 370-3331.