Retired administrator stabbed to death at Cal State Fullerton by suspect who flees on foot

A retired Cal State Fullerton administrator was stabbed to death inside a car in a campus parking lot early Monday by a suspect who fled on foot and remained on the loose, police said.

No motive for the attack was disclosed, but Fullerton police Lt. Jon Radus said the suspect seemed to have targeted the victim.

“We don’t believe there is an active stabber on the loose at this point,” Radus said.

Authorities identified the victim as Steven Shek Keung Chan, 57, of Hacienda Heights, who was still working on campus as a consultant two years after his retirement as an administrator. Police said he was found with several stab wounds at about 8:30 a.m. in a silver Infiniti sedan in Parking Lot S at College Place and Langsdorf Drive.

 

 

 

At the scene of a homicide at @csuf. Detectives are investigating a dark gray car parked, possibly that of victim, in front of a campus building on Langsdorf Drive. pic.twitter.com/EB3R66GUNo

— Alma Fausto (@AlmaFausto1) August 19, 2019

The suspect left a backpack underneath the victim’s vehicle, which prompted a bomb squad with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to investigate. A crude incendiary device, described as a bottle filled with flammable liquid with matches attached, was inside the backpack, Radus said.

Bladed weapons and items that potentially could be used in a kidnapping attempt were also recovered by police.

Radus said the contents of the backpack appeared to confirm investigators’ belief that the attack was not random and that the victim was singled out by the suspect. Officials did not disclose any relationship between the suspect and the victim.

CSUF MAIN CAMPUS: Assault deadly weapon. 8:30 AM 8/19/19. So. of College Park. Suspect male, black hair, pants & shirt. SEE EMAIL FOR DETAILS. @csuf

— CSU Fullerton PD (@csufpd) August 19, 2019

At the scene of a homicide at @csuf. Detectives are investigating a dark gray car parked, possibly that of victim, in front of a campus building on Langsdorf Drive. pic.twitter.com/EB3R66GUNo

— Alma Fausto (@AlmaFausto1) August 19, 2019

 

The Habit Burger Grill, at 2720 Nutwood Ave., was also part of the investigation, Radus said. The suspect reportedly left  evidence there, but police did not describe what it was.

Bloodhounds were brought in to sniff out the trail of the suspect, who was seen on foot going east on Nutwood Avenue toward the 57 Freeway overpass. He was described as in his mid-20s, with black hair and wearing black pants and a black shirt.

Fullerton police will be patrolling the school, in addition to the campus police, over the next few days. Meanwhile, detectives will be examining surveillance footage and witness statements in hopes of locating the suspect and discerning his motive.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the victim and all those affected by this tragic and senseless loss,” Framroze Virjee, president of Cal State Fullerton, said in a statement. “The safety and support of our Titan family remains our top priority, now and in the hours and days to come.”

He described Chan as a “long-serving member of the Titan Family,” in a statement. He worked in the Student Services and Budget and Finance departments for the school’s Extended Education Program between 2009 and 2017.

“It is clear that he was beloved for his commitment to and passion for both Cal State Fullerton and our Titan Family,” Virjee said.

The university is not yet in session for students, but the building near the crime scene was open. It mostly holds administrative offices.

Third-year student David Velazquez was just about to leave his campus job when he got a text alert about an assault.

“I saw it and my first thought was, ‘Uh, oh’,” he said. “I kind of assumed it was a student at first.”

The 19-year-old political science major and his roommate were planning on going shopping to buy things for their apartment. They drove and encountered part of the street taped off and police everywhere.

Velazquez said the attack and police response reminded him of reports of school shootings elsewhere. Coincidentally, campus police had planned an active-shooter drill on campus for Monday.

“Something like this makes me more alert that something worse could happen,” he said.

Incoming student Amairani Ramos-Ramirez, 22, of Santa Ana, said she was somewhat relieved to learn the incident did not appear to be motivated by hate or ideology, or a random act of violence. The mathematics major said she thought the university did a good job of keeping students informed, and didn’t run into any trouble while taking care of errands related to her enrollment on Monday

“People shouldn’t let this one incident affect their judgement of the school,” she said.

However other students, like Gisselle Brito, 21, of Montclair, said they were still concerned about their safety, even though authorities have described the stabbing as a targeted attack. The speech pathology major has classes scheduled in the building connected to the parking lot where the killing took place. She said she was reluctant to show up for a financial aid appointment scheduled hours after the attack and across the street from the crime scene at Steven G. Mihaylo Hall.

Electrical engineering major Jose Salmeron, 21, of Santa Ana, said he was sad to hear about Chan’s death, but said it wasn’t going to change how he felt about being on campus.

“It’s dangerous everywhere,” said the incoming transfer student. “Even in a good neighborhood, there are problems.”

CSUF officials encouraged students in need of support to contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 657-278-3040. Faculty, staff, and administrators experiencing distress in light of Monday’s events can reach out to Alisha Brown, Director of Total Wellness, by dialing 657-278-2824.