The University of California Police Dept. has declared former UCSB student Arash Shamsian as a person of interest in its investigation of threats e-mailed to a UCSB chemistry lecturer last Thursday.
Currently, police do not believe that the 27-year-old is in the Santa Barbara area at this time. According to a UCPD special alert press release, Shamsian’s last known residence was in Mexico.
The police department is currently attempting to apprehend the suspect despite his absence from the immediate area, said UCPD spokesman Matt Bowman.
“We are working with other law enforcement agencies, and we are actively seeking an arrest warrant for the individual,” Bowman said. “We don’t believe the individual is a local resident.”
In response to the e-mailed threats, a campuswide warning was issued through the UCSB Alert system, and the chemistry facility and surrounding areas were placed under heightened surveillance. Bowman said law enforcement agencies were stationed in and around the building, conducting frequent walkthroughs to ensure the safety of the campus community.
“We have increased controls of officers and Community Service Organization officers in the chemistry area and are taking other [security measures], but cannot share them at this time so as to not undermine security,” Bowman said.
If Shamsian is seen on UCSB property, UCPD encourages persons to contact its department at (805) 893-3446 or 9-911 from a campus line.
Speaking on behalf of myself (and at the same time realizing that most of the student population may feel the same way) I just want to say thank you for posting a picture of the suspect. Although it is unknown whether Mr. Shamsian is the author of these emails, I feel that much safer on campus knowing that the police are working on all possible leads.