Almunthir Daqamah has been charged with attempted murder after shooting a campus safety officer with a crossbow at the University of Surrey [1].
The incident highlights significant safety concerns within student residential areas and the legal ramifications of possessing prohibited weapons on campus grounds.
Police arrested Daqamah, a 21-year-old Saudi national and former student at the university [1]. The attack occurred on a Thursday morning at the Manor Park Student Village in Guildford [3]. This location serves as a primary residential hub for students on the University of Surrey campus [3].
Authorities have charged Daqamah with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of Class B drugs [1]. The victim, identified as a campus safety officer, was transported to a hospital where he remains in stable condition [1].
While some reports indicate the victim was a man in his 50s, other official accounts identify the individual specifically by his role as a safety officer [4]. The investigation into the motive behind the attack is ongoing, and police said they have not yet disclosed why the shooting occurred [1].
The use of a crossbow, a weapon that is strictly regulated under UK law, has led to the additional offensive weapon charges [1]. The presence of Class B drugs during the arrest further complicates the legal proceedings facing the suspect [1].
University officials and local police said they have not provided further details regarding the suspect's previous standing with the institution or his current legal status beyond the formal charges [1].
“Almunthir Daqamah has been charged with attempted murder”
This case underscores the challenges universities face in balancing open campus environments with the need for rigorous security. The inclusion of drug charges alongside a violent weapon offense suggests a complex criminal profile that may lead to severe sentencing under UK law, particularly given the targeted nature of the attack against a safety official.
