Alex Ophel, Australian National University stabbing: Two students, both aged 20, stabbed during alleged rampage at university are identified – as image emerges of stabbing accused arrested by cops
The victims of a suspected stabbing attack at one of Australia’s most prestigious universities have been identified as Ilysha Perry and Isabelle Vasudeva.
Alex Ophel, 24, was arrested by police Monday afternoon after allegedly stabbing two 20-year-old female students with a knife.
He also allegedly hit two other international students in the head with a frying pan during a 30-minute marauding period on the Canberra campus.
Ms Perry is a second-year ANU student from the coastal town of Batemans Bay in southern New South Wales. She remains in critical condition in intensive care.
Isabelle Vasudeva remains in stable condition.
Ilysha Perry, a 20-year-old ANU student, is fighting for her life in a critical condition in hospital.
Isabelle Vasudeva, another 20-year-old ANU student who was allegedly stabbed in the attack, is in a stable condition.
New photos have been released showing an AFP officer forcing Ophel to the ground before handcuffing him at ANU’s Fellows Oval.
Ophel was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault and one count of possession of an object intended to kill.
The two Ophel international students who were allegedly hit with a frying pan to the head and face were not named but were aged 24 and 34.
ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Sally Wheeler praised the courage of ANU staff and students who kept people out of danger.
“Some members of the students and staff intervened to keep others away from the course this person was taking on campus,” Professor Wheeler told Nine News on Tuesday evening.
AFP Acting Detective Superintendent Stephanie Leonard said the incident broke up the normally peaceful environment of the campus.
Photos show the dramatic arrest of Alex Ophel, 24, accused of carrying out a stabbing on the ANU campus in Canberra.
Former ANU student Alex Ophel has been refused bail and is set to undergo a mental health assessment
“Obviously any violent offense is concerning,” she said.
“The ANU and Canberra are generally very safe places and cases like this are extremely rare.”
Police previously said they had not identified a motive for the attack and believed the victims were not known to Ophel.
Ophel briefly appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was refused bail.
He is scheduled to undergo a mental health evaluation on October 17.
ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian Schmidt urged those who were truamatized by the incident to seek help.
“I understand that this incident may have caused distress among members of our community and I want to remind you that support is available,” Professor Schmidt said.
AFP officers took Ophel away after her arrest at ANU’s Fellow Oval on Monday afternoon.
“In times like these, it is vital that we support each other and stay connected as a community,” ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said in a statement.
“I know a number of members of our community stopped to assist the injured or intervened to move people away from danger.”
Anyone who witnessed or has footage of the incident and has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
