Sheriff: UC Merced Stabbing Suspect Had Elaborate Plan Too Complicated For Him To Carry Out

MERCED (CBS13) — Investigators say the motive behind a series of stabbings at UC Merced was anger over being kicked out of a study group.

The suspect carried a note detailing his plan for what he wanted to do, including using zip ties to restrain students, and forcing another student to help.

Petroleum jelly was found, though it appears to be used only to make the floor slippery for anyone who came in.

The note also says he planned to ambush an officer and take the officer's gun.

None of the above was carried out on Wednesday.

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke praised the efforts of those who helped take the suspect's script from him, including the actions of a contractor who stepped in to stop him.

"There is still nothing to indicate anything, and I mean anything that this is anything other than a teenage boy that got upset with classmates and took it to the extreme," he said, adding there was no indication this was linked to terrorism.