UIC evacuates Student Center East after attempted stabbing; one student arrested
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The gist
UIC Police said an attempted stabbing involving two students led to one arrest and an evacuation of Student Center East.
The building stayed closed for the evening, though the university said there was no threat to campus.
Background
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is a Chicago university whose Student Center East is a hub of student activity, housing meeting and lecture rooms, fast-food outlets, lounge spaces and student organizations. On Nov 4, 2026, UIC issued an alert about police activity on the building's second-floor walkway, then evacuated the building as a precaution. UIC Police later described the incident as an attempted stabbing involving two UIC students.
How it unfolded
- Nov 4, 2026UIC issued an alert about police activity at Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted St., on the second-floor walkway between rooms 605 and 606; reports put the time at around 12:30 p.m., 12:40 p.m. or 1 p.m., depending on the source.
- Nov 4, 2026UIC said it was evacuating Student Center East around 1:30 p.m. and told people not on campus to avoid the area until further notice.
- Nov 4, 2026UIC Police said the incident was an attempted stabbing involving two UIC students; one student was arrested and taken into custody, and the other was neither stabbed nor injured.
- Nov 4, 2026Police said the area was secured and there was no threat to the campus community; Student Center East remained closed while the investigation continued.
- Nov 4, 2026In an alert sent a little before 3:30 p.m., UIC said Student Center East would remain closed for the rest of the evening, its business operations were suspended, employees should consult supervisors about work arrangements, other campus operations would continue as normal, and no classes were canceled.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- UIC said the area was secured, there was no threat to the campus community, and Student Center East was evacuated as a precaution and remained closed while the investigation continued.
- Official
- UIC spokesperson Brian Flood said two UIC students were involved, one was taken into custody and the other was not injured.
- Caution
- Chicago police confirmed officers were at the scene assisting university police but did not answer questions about its officers' response, saying it had no additional information.
Still unverified
The university has not said what prompted the police activity, and there has been no word on injuries or potential suspects; officials have not given details about what the police activity was or whether students or staff may be involved. The exact time of the initial report varies by source, listed as around 12:30, 12:40 or 1 p.m.