West Palm Beach Police arrested a Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) student on Sunday, Sept. 20, after witnesses told investigators he threatened another student in a Rinker Hall dorm room with a knife, according to Officer Michael Borgen.
Blair Christopher Adams, 19, faces one charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after telling the victim, "I will poke you, you don`t know me, I’ll kill you, let me know if you want to fight," according to the investigative report.
Adams denied making threats toward a student.
Even though the police report discloses the victim’s name, The Beacon Today does not identify victims of crimes.
In an email sent to campus residents on Sept. 21 from Vice President for Student Development Dr. Bob Lutz, the offices of Residence Life and Campus Safety and Security “were notified of a threat by a residential student against other students in campus housing.”
The confrontation started when Adams and two other PBA students walked to the victim’s dorm room and accused him of “throwing a water bottle and other pieces of trash” at the suspect’s balcony window, according to the probable cause affidavit.
“Next thing you know it turned into a whole argument,” sophomore Justin Kerr, 19, retold what happened in a witness statement. “He pulled out a knife on my friend, and he threatened to stab him.”
The resident assistants called PBA Campus Safety & Security who “worked with local law enforcement to investigate the threat and ensure the safety of each student and the campus community,” Dr. Lutz wrote in his email.
Police spoke with four witnesses who all told similar stories. They stated that Adams was angry about objects being thrown at his window. That led to him yelling and cursing at the victim before pulling out a pocketknife and threatening the student.
“I’ll see you around campus,” Adams told the victim, according to the police report.
Adams, who at first denied even having a knife, admitted to police under question that “he did in fact have a little silver pocketknife on him.” Other witnesses told police Adams never unfolded the blade.
After questioning Adams and several students, the investigative report confirmed there was enough evidence to charge him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The green area between the Fraser Dining Hall and the Rinker School of Business was packed with students trying to catch a glimpse of the scene. Resident assistants tried to keep the situation under control despite the noticeable police presence. Students were asked to leave the area until the suspect was arrested.
Several students expressed concern for other residents inside the building and said prayers for those affected.
“You know you don’t want to wish anything rough on some kid who’s here only a month into their college life,” student Connor Davidson said. “You know things happen in life. This is life.”
By Maddie Coggins and Davalyn Durso