Following the shooting that resulted in the death of Minhaj Jamshidi on Sept. 23, the University of Arizona and greater Tucson community responded in concern and came together to support each other and those impacted by the event.
The Criminal Investigations Unit of the University of Arizona Police Department identified the suspect responsible for the crime as 20-year-old Ryan Romero-Encinas. UAPD released a statement on Sept. 24 at 9:20 p.m. alerting the campus of the suspect’s identity. On Sept. 25, at 5:31 p.m., UAPD alerted campus of Romero-Encinas’ arrest. He was taken into custody at 3:32 p.m. at 850 E. Wetmore Road, where he resided. Romero-Encinas is not affiliated with the University of Arizona.
UAPD held a live-streamed press conference the morning of Thursday, Sept. 26 to give updates about the investigation.
UAPD Chief Chris Olson made remarks on the arrest.
“Yesterday, at 3:10 pm, the suspect returned to his apartment to turn himself in. His roommates promptly called 911, and TPD and UAPD responded to arrest him. Encinas has been booked into the Pima County Jail where he remains in custody with no bond,” Olson said.
Questions emerged among students and staff about the half-hour delay between the time of the incident and the UAlert notification residents received.
“The systems that we placed for UAlerts failed us in this instance. We were quickly overwhelmed. And us falling short on that is my responsibility and I take full responsibility for that,” Olson said. “I can assure the community that we’ve implemented changes to our UAlert system immediately.”
Olson said that UAlert processes will be discussed soon.
According to Olson, the investigation, however, is not fully over.
“I am reminded that we are still seeking information related to the suspect’s whereabouts over the past couple of days, and we are asking for the community to bring forward any additional information or evidence.”
Those with information about the suspect or information prior to his arrest can contact UAPD at 520-621-8273.
Family, friends and members of the Islamic community gathered on the evening of Sept. 25 at the Islamic Center of Tucson for a prayer service. Jamshidi’s burial followed at All Faiths Memorial Park. In 2021, Jamshidi and his family left Afghanistan, seeking peace in the United States. Jamshidi frequented the sand volleyball courts outside of the Arizona-Sonora residence hall.
The recent on-campus shooting comes just days before the second anniversary of the fatal shooting of Thomas Meixner, former professor and department head of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. On Oct. 5, 2022, Meixner was tragically killed, leaving a lasting impact on the UA community where he had served for over 30 years as a beloved professor, coworker, husband, father and friend.
In remembrance of Meixner’s life, the Newman Center hosted a nondenominational memorial on Friday, Oct. 4, marking the second anniversary of his passing.
Adriana Grijalva, ASUA student body president, spoke on the incident after returning from Meixner’s memorial.
“Here we are, two years later, and another act of violence happens— and this is something that is happening everywhere right now,” Grijalva said.
After Meixner’s death, Grijalva began to pursue work in gun violence prevention.
“Being in this role when the shooting happened really personally hit a different note, especially being a student […] seeing him at 19 years old, lose his life to violence,” Grijalva said
In the week following the shooting, UA students and faculty expressed concern about campus safety especially regarding the decision to hold classes with a suspect on the loose.
According to Olson, the decision goes to Provost.
“The decision to hold classes or not hold classes [is] not my decision,” Olson said.
Tucson Chief of Police Chad Kasmar followed Olson’s remarks about classes not being canceled.
“A small population of individuals are not going to control the atmosphere and environment of Tucson or this university. As Chief of Police, I commend UA leadership for not canceling classes,” Kasmar said.
Many UA students felt differently.
“I think it’s very difficult to continue with classes the next day, and something we’re really hoping is to work on some more flexibility, whether that’s virtual or non-mandatory attendance because I feel like that is something students have asked for,” Grijalva said. “I really feel for students, and even professors and faculty. They’re going through it as well. Holding class the next day is never easy, and I hope we can work on some alternatives.”
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Amanda Kraus worked with her team to provide mental health resources to students in nearby dorms and across campus in the moments and days following the shooting. Student Affairs houses Counseling & Psych Services, Campus Recreation, the Dean of Students Office, Disability Resources and Housing and Residential Life.
“Often when upsetting or traumatic incidents happen, a lot of the folks in our division will be working to support students, and that was true on Sunday night and Monday and into this week,” Kraus said. “CAPS mobilized counselors to go to AZ-So. They increased their drop-in hours. They created drop-in spaces online. So they really increased their capacity to meet students if they needed to speak with someone.”
Kraus recommended students reach out for support.
“If you live in the dorms, talk to your RA, talk to your community director, talk with your friends, talk with your faculty member,” Kraus said. “It’s understandable to be impacted by what happened here, and we want people to feel supported and like they can take care of themselves, and like they can connect with others in a time of crisis.”
Students can access mental health resources by contacting Counseling & Psych Services at 520-621-3334, scheduling an appointment online or dropping in at a CAPS location during operating hours. Employees can contact Employee Assistance Counseling — available 24/7 to all UA employees, their dependents and members of their households — at 877-327-2362.
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