From the Spokesman Review:
Investigators in Moscow, Idaho, are now walking back a key claim that the slayings of four University of Idaho students was a targeted attack.
In an update Wednesday night, investigators said they “do not currently know if the residence or any occupants were specifically targeted.”
Police officials have attempted to tamp down fears in the community from the moment they discovered the bodies of four students stabbed and killed in their beds on Nov. 13 by saying it appeared the attack was a targeted killing rather than a random act of homicidal violence.
You do not create a false narrative in order to assuage people’s fears.
The development follows a day of confusion and what police are calling misinformation that was shared with multiple media outlets by Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson. He had said “that one or more of the occupants were undoubtedly targeted.”
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With the killer on the loose, the university allowed students to choose whether they wanted to return to campus following Thanksgiving break or participate remotely.
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If the investigation continues without suspects, Eckles said he’s not sure if that could affect enrollment.
“This is a bridge that we have not walked on before; quite frankly, not many institutions have,” Eckles said. “The unresolved nature of this, we don’t know if that will impact enrollment or not.”
The university plans to continue evaluating safety plans as things change, he said.
“We’ve had an incredible amount of outreach of love and care from across the state, even across the nation and around the world,” Eckles said. “We just really appreciate everyone that is offering those sentiments, helps for sure … we’re just incredibly thankful.”