A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a staff member was shot with a crossbow at a student village in Surrey. Officers were called to the scene at the University of Surrey’s Manor Park Student Village in Guildford at around 10am on Thursday, Surrey Police said.
Victim and Suspect Details
A man, in his 50s and a member of the university’s campus safety team, was seriously injured and has been taken to hospital. The suspect, a 21-year-old Saudi national who was a former student at the university, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is in custody, the force said.
Police Response and Public Reassurance
There is still a significant emergency service presence at the scene, officers said, but people can access the Royal Surrey County Hospital and the university, and the campus is fully open and operational. Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen said: “I appreciate that this incident will cause concern amongst our local communities. We are working closely with the university as our investigation progresses. The suspect was detained at the scene shortly after the incident and an investigation is now under way to establish the circumstances of the assault. The victim remains in a serious condition in hospital and his next of kin are aware and are being supported by officers.”
Appeal for Witnesses
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information which may help police is asked to call 101 or use Surrey Police’s online form, quoting reference PR/45260065706. A University of Surrey spokesperson said: “At approximately 9.50am this morning, an incident took place on our Manor Park campus. Police attended and a man was arrested. A member of our campus safety team was seriously injured and is receiving medical care. The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. Surrey Police are leading the investigation and we are giving them our full support.”
