Updated Nov. 6, 2009 7:15 p.m.
Sacramento State media advisory
Because of the ongoing criminal investigation into the Oct. 21 tragedy on our campus, Sacramento State will not comment on matters related to the investigation by the Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. Out of respect to our students and staff members, we ask that all media inquiries be made through the Office of Public Affairs at (916) 278-6156.
VIEW VIDEO OF MEMORIAL
SLIDESHOW OF MEMORIAL
Sacramento State students held a candlelight memorial service for Scott Hawkins at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28, in front of the American River Courtyard residence hall. There were approximately 300 people in attendance.
A small group of speakers, including University President Alexander Gonzalez, history professors Robert Dunn and Afshin Marashi and ASI president Roberto Torres, reflected on Hawkins’ life and his love of history.
In a message to the campus community regarding Wednesday’s memorial, Gonzalez said, “At last night’s candlelight memorial for Scott Hawkins, Sac State students, faculty and staff paid their respects and remembered a young man who made a tremendous impression on our campus.
“The memorial took place one week after Scott’s passing, and it is clear that a heartwarming sense of community has emerged.”
Condolence cards for Hawkins’ family may be sent to Sacramento State University, c/o Public Affairs, Sacramento Hall, Room 116, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819. Please be sure to indicate on the envelope that the card or letter is for the Hawkins’ family.
Hawkins died Oct. 21 after an altercation on campus. He lived in a five-bedroom suite at the residence hall.
Sacramento State officials quickly arranged help for members of the campus community who needed to talk with someone. Crisis counselors were available to residence hall students that night. Psychological services are available to students through Sacramento State’s Health Center at (916) 278-6416 during business hours. Faculty and staff can obtain counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program, (916) 278-5018.
A special website, www.csus.edu/pa/CampusSafety has been set up with contact information, news updates and video of officials’ comments. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.
Update Oct. 23, 2009 3:30pm
(Video from Oct. 23 Press Conference)
More Video
October 22. 2009 Press Briefing Video
Downloads:
Still Photos of American River Courtyard Model Suite (zip File)
Photos Taken October 23, 2009 by Public Affairs
Video of American River Courtyard Model Suite (WMV/DV Widescreen)
Video Taken October 23, 2009 by Public Affairs
Resource and Information:
View: Public Affairs Incident Timeline (.pdf)
COMMON RESPONSES TO AND WAYS TO COPE WITH TRAUMATIC STRESS (.pdf)
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Update: Oct. 23, 2009 7:17pm
Authorities search for motive in Sacramento State incident
 A motive has not been determined for the Oct. 21 student altercation at Sacramento State that resulted in the death of Scott Hawkins, 23, and the shooting of his roommate, Quran Jones, 19. Campus police say there was no physical evidence that drugs or alcohol were a factor.
Jones is at UC Medical center and faces one count of homicide and another of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer for the incident in a five-bedroom suite of the American River Courtyard residence hall.
A record of residents’ electronic key fob usage reveals that Hawkins apparently walked into the suite about nine minutesbefore campus police were notified of a disturbance in the room.
When campus police arrived ,Jones confronted them with a knife, according to police. Officers fired pepper balls at Jones, but they had no effect. When he charged the officers, they fired their weapons, say police.
Officers then found Hawkins on the floor with extensive injuries. He died later at the medical center.
Jones is listed in serious condition following surgery for his gunshot wounds.
There was no report of any prior conflict among any of the five roommates. Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez and campus Police Chief Dan Davis told reporters Oct. 23 that they were as eager for answers as everyone else is. “Your sense of frustration is one we feel as well,” Gonzalez said.
“I want to know the ‘why’ as bad as all of you,” Davis said. “We all want to know ‘why.’”
Gonzalez and Vice President for Student Affairs Lori Varlotta also met with Hawkins’ family Friday afternoon. “We’re going to do everything that we can to accommodate anything that they need,” Gonzalez said.
A special website, www.csus.edu/pa/CampusSafety has been set up with contact information and news updates. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.
Sac State officials respond to campus needs in wake of shooting
 Sacramento State officials offered sympathy Thursday to the family of a student who died following an altercation on campus Oct. 21.
Campus police were called to the American River Courtyard residence hall at 2:23 p.m. regarding a disturbance. One student, Scott Hawkins, 23, was allegedly beaten by a suite mate, Quran Jones, 19.
When officers arrived, Jones confronted them with a knife, according to police. Officers fired several pepper balls at him when he refused to drop the knife, but it had no effect and when he charged the officers, they fired their weapons, police say.
Police found Hawkins on the floor with extensive injuries. He later died at UC Davis Medical Center.
Jones underwent surgery for his gunshot wounds and is listed in stable condition. He is under arrest on an open count of homicide and attempted murder of a police officer.
Police quickly contained the incident and ensured there was no further danger to the campus. A motive has not been determined.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Scott Hawkins, who died yesterday in a terrible act of violence,” Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez said at the Thursday press conference. “His life was far too short, and this is a tragedy that affects everyone in the Sacramento State community.”
Campus Police Chief Dan Davis and Vice President for Student Affairs Lori Varlotta also made statements and answered reporters’ question.
“The brave officers who responded to the scene contained the incident and prevented further loss of life,” Gonzalez said. “They risked their lives to protect the campus community, and they have my most sincere thanks for their courage.”
Sacramento State officials quickly arranged help for members of the campus community who needed to talk with someone. Crisis counselors were available to residence hall students Wednesday night. The students could also reach a chaplain through a special number. Psychological services are available to students through Sacramento State’s Health Center at (916) 278-6416 during business hours. Faculty and staff can obtain counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program, (916) 278-5018.
A special website, www.csus.edu/pa/CampusSafety was set up with contact information and news updates. And a hotline was established at (916) 614-3277 with a recorded message guiding callers to campus resources.
The criminal investigation is being led by the Sacramento Police Department. Sacramento State police and administrators are cooperating fully and assisting the investigation.
For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.
Update: Oct. 22, 2009 9:58am
 To All Members of the Campus Community,
Yesterday afternoon, a terrible act of violence in one of our residence halls led to the death of a Sacramento State student. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.
The investigation began immediately after the incident was contained, and it will continue until we have all of the facts necessary to prosecute the individual responsible for this horrific tragedy.
What we know now is that University police responded to a report of an altercation around 2:23 p.m. in a suite in the American River Courtyard. The officers attempted to subdue a suspect with a knife by firing pepper balls, which are filled with a substance designed to stop attacks.
Sadly, the suspect continued to come at the officers with a knife, and they were forced to fire their weapons. The suspect, who also was a student, is hospitalized in stable condition under police custody.
The victim of the attack was taken to a hospital after the incident and later passed away.
Although this was an isolated incident that was contained by University police, the tragic death of a student affects us all.
Crisis counselors were available in the residence hall throughout the night. Any students needing a counselor can call (916) 278-6416 or go to the Student Health Center. Faculty and staff can obtain counseling services by calling the Employee Assistance Program at (916) 278-5018.
The criminal investigation is being handled by the Sacramento Police Department, and we are cooperating fully and assisting in every way we can.
We have also created a web page to post the latest information as it becomes available at www.csus.edu/pa/campussafety. Additionally, a hotline at (916) 614-3277 will be updated with recorded information for parents and students.
Our thanks go out to everyone who has assisted us in the wake of this tragedy.
Sincerely,
Alexander Gonzalez, President
Dan Davis, University Police Chief
Update: Oct. 21, 2009 9:54pm
Quran Jones has been identified as the suspect in this afternoon’s shooting incident at Sacramento State, according to campus police.
Jones, 19, a student at Sacramento State, is in stable condition at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. He is being detained by Sacramento Police officers on one open count of homicide and one attempted murder of a police officer.
University Police responded to a report of a disturbance at approximately 2:23 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 in the American River Courtyard residence hall.
Officers were forced to shoot a male suspect when he came at them with a knife, after the officers attempted to subdue him with pepper balls. Officers found another person injured at the scene. That person later died at the hospital. His identity has not been released.
University officials say the incident was isolated and contained, and no further danger exists from the incident.
Sacramento State officials have made counselors available for students. The residence hall was re-opened for students who live in areas not affected by the incident.
Update: Oct. 21, 2009 9:02pm
Incident was isolated and contained.
 University Police responded to a report of a disturbance at approximately 2:23 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 in the American River Courtyard residence hall.
Officers were forced to shoot a male suspect when he came at them with a knife, after the officers attempted to subdue him with pepper balls. Officers found another person injured at the scene. That person later died at the hospital.
The suspect was taken to the hospital and his condition is not known.
Neither person involved in the incident has been identified at this time. It is not known if either was a student.
University officials say the incident was isolated and contained, and no further danger exists from the incident.
Sacramento State officials have made counselors available for students. The residence hall was re-opened for students who live in areas not affected by the incident.
More information will be released as it becomes available. For more information, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs Office at (916) 278-6156.
Update: 2009-10-21 8:50pm
President Gonzalez statement on emergency incident
 Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez spoke to the press at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21 about the emergency incident on campus. His statement follows:
This afternoon about 2:10 p.m., University police responded to a report of a disturbance in the residence hall.
The suspect had a knife, and officers attempted to subdue him with pepper balls.
Nevertheless, the suspect came at the officers and was shot. He was taken to the hospital. I do not know his condition.
Another person was found at the scene with injuries. That person later died at the hospital.
This was a contained incident, and at this time, there does not appear to be any other suspects. The incident is contained and the campus is safe.
Students have returned to their rooms in parts of the building not affected by the incident.
We will cooperate fully with the Sacramento Police Department, who will be investigating. I will also be conducting a full investigation for the university.
We will provide more information as it becomes available.
For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.
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