1 Dead In Sonoma State University Stabbing

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Authorities provided more details Monday about a fatal stabbing Sunday on the campus of Sonoma State University. The victim of the homicide that was reported just before 6 p.m. in an apartment dorm room at Sauvignon Village — one of six student housing communities on campus — was a 26-year-old Sonoma County man who was not enrolled at SSU, police said.

Authorities did not release the victim's name Monday morning pending the notification of his family members.

However, the man arrested on suspicion of the homicide was identified as 19-year-old Tyler J. Bratton, of Santa Rosa. Bratton, whom police say did not attend the university, has been in police custody since Sunday evening.

Bratton has had prior police contacts, said police Lt. Tim Lyons of the Petaluma Police Department, the lead investigating agency on the case.

“We do not know as yet the motive in this case, but we can say that these individuals were acquaintances who were involved in some kind of dispute and altercation,” Lyons said. “At no point were other students at risk, but we are asking any individuals who may be witnessed something to contact the Petaluma Police Department.”

Petaluma police recovered a knife and a backpack and have interviewed two people they believe witnessed the stabbing. Several people live inside the apartment where the stabbing took place, Lyons said.

"We believe we have the stabber," Lyons said.

The tragic event happened as the school year is coming to an end, on the eve of finals week and with graduation planned for Saturday, May 19.

School officials said finals week is proceeding on schedule and that students impacted by Sunday’s events who feel unable or unprepared to take a final exam, submit a final assignment, or attend class should "contact their instructors as soon as possible to request an accommodation."

Grief counselors began responding to the university's six student housing villages Sunday night, and on Monday morning, university officials announced the NomaCares Center would be open until 5 p.m. in University Library 3001.

"Representatives from Counseling and Psychological Services, advising, Human Resources, and Faculty Affairs will be available to assist students, faculty and staff impacted by Sunday’s event," school officials said in a statement posted to social media.

School officials said a mass alert about the fatal stabbing was not immediately sent out Sunday night because "SSU’s emergency messaging systems are used to notify the campus of threats to life and safety."

"Based on the circumstances surrounding the incident ... police believed this was an isolated incident that posed no threat to the campus community," school officials said.

Sonoma State University President Judy K. Sakaki issued a statement Monday about the incident.

"All of us at Sonoma State are shocked and saddened by this tragic event," Sakaki said in the statement. "Our hearts go out to all of those who have been impacted. I’m grateful for our leadership team and how our campus has come together to ensure our students are safe, housed and cared for."

Sakaki said hotel rooms and dinner were made available Sunday night for all students who were not able to get back into their residence halls because of the police investigation. She said all residential housing units are now open with the exception of the unit where the incident occurred.

"The care and safety of our students are our top priority," Sakaki said. "And our focus today will be continuing to make sure we meet the needs of our students and campus community.”

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Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photos by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com