Annie Richardson dies after being stabbed in random attack at Louisiana Tech University

Update: The school has confirmed the death of one of the four women who were stabbed in what officials described as a random attack on a Louisiana college campus.

Annie Richardson, who had been in critical condition since Monday’s assault, succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday evening, as announced by Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.

Two additional women were admitted to the hospital, and a retired teacher, the fourth woman involved, sustained a cut but opted not to receive treatment.

Authorities describe the incident as a random knife attack outside a recreation center on the northern Louisiana campus. Richardson was stabbed as she exited an exercise class. The condition of one hospitalized victim was serious, while the other was recovering and anticipated to be discharged as early as Wednesday, as mentioned in a previous university email.

Original Report:

In connection with the stabbing of four individuals as they exited classes at Louisiana Tech University’s Lambright Sports & Wellness Center, a 23-year-old student, Jacoby Johnson of Rayville, is now in police custody.

The arrest occurred without incident as Johnson was moving south past West Alabama Avenue behind the J.C. Love baseball field, according to Louisiana Tech Police Chief Randal Hermes.

Johnson is currently receiving medical treatment at Northern Louisiana Medical Center for injuries sustained during the initial incident, as per a release from Tech.

Among the four victims, one is identified as Dominique McCain, a graduate student who was leaving a water aerobics practicum class in Tech’s Department of Kinesiology at the Lambright when the incident occurred, as reported by the class instructor.

Tech’s release indicates four confirmed victims. Two were transported to NLMC, one was airlifted to Shreveport by Pafford EMS, and the remaining victim declined treatment.

As of 11:40 a.m., one victim is reportedly in critical condition at NLMC, while the other two hospitalized victims are in serious but stable condition. Notably, aside from McCain, the other three victims are not affiliated with the university.

The assault appears to have been arbitrary, according to Hermes. The victims were targeted while walking along the sidewalk on the east side of the intramural center near the outdoor swimming pool.

Johnson, reportedly inside the building, ran out and encountered the victims in his path.

Hermes suggested that he approached them from behind, taking them by surprise. As of late morning, Johnson had not yet faced formal charges. One victim was airlifted to a Shreveport hospital, while two were transported to Northern Louisiana Medical Center, with one undergoing surgery around midmorning.

The fourth victim declined treatment. Notably, at least three of the victims are individuals unrelated to the university from Ruston. The investigation remains ongoing.