A former student from Saudi Arabia has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a security guard was shot with a crossbow at the University of Surrey. The incident occurred at the Manor Park Student Village in Guildford on Thursday morning.
Arrest and Victim Condition
The 21-year-old suspect, a Saudi national who reportedly studied at the university, remains in police custody. The security guard, aged in his fifties, is in a serious condition in hospital. Police were called to the scene at approximately 10am, where they found the victim receiving emergency first aid from bystanders.
Footage captured the moment officers arrested the suspect, pinning him to the ground near the victim. A crossbow was discovered underneath a bench outside the campus building.
Witness Accounts
Aaron Essak, a resident living adjacent to the scene, described waking to the commotion. 'I got down and I saw the security guard was in some distress,' he said. Essak provided first aid, applying pressure to the wound with a bandage. 'I just really hope the security guard is alright. It’s definitely not the sort of thing you expect to wake up to,' he added.
Mehmet Yerlikaye, who runs a food stall on campus, was alerted by a police helicopter. 'It was all really dramatic. The helicopter came overhead. There were police everywhere. It's shocking,' he said. 'I've lived around here for 30 years and worked here for years and there's never been any trouble.'
Police Investigation
Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen assured the public that officers are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident. 'The suspect was detained at the scene shortly after the incident and an investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances of the assault,' he said. The victim's next of kin have been informed and are receiving support.
Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward, quoting reference PR/45260065706, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
University Response
A University of Surrey spokesperson confirmed the incident: 'At approximately 9.50 am 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 university is cooperating fully with the investigation.
