Stabbing leaves one dead at Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, Calif. (KTVU) - Petaluma Police arrested Tyler J. Bratton, 19, from Santa Rosa for the stabbing of a 26-year-old man from Sonoma County. The victim's name was not released pending notification of family. Police said the victim and the suspect were acquaintances and neither were students at Sonoma State University. It is believed they were visiting friends on campus.  Police have not identified a motive in the case. 

The stabbing was reported just before 6 p.m. at a residential building in the Sauvignon Village.  When authorities arrived, they found a man dead inside one of the apartments. They found the suspect nearby.

The stabbing happened inside the Alicante building which houses freshmen students. A 19-year-old freshman spoke to KTVU. He said he heard screaming and believes he saw the suspect moments after the stabbing.

“There was a guy. He was walking down the stairs. I looked at him and saw the right side of his arm was all bloody. He looked at me and said he was attacked. At that point me and my friends told people to go inside,” said Freshman Kyle Stickels.

Grief counselors are hand to help students. About three dozen students were offered hotel rooms for the night and food in the cafeteria, as police continued their investigation. Police said there is no threat to public safety. Rohnert Park and Petaluma police departments are assisting with the investigation.

KTVU reporter Azenith Smith contributed to this report.