Web update: Two Swig residents arrested after threatening student with knives

By Johanna Mitchell

Two students were arrested Sunday evening after threatening another student with knives in Swig residence hall, authorities said.

Peter Qaqundah (Update: Charges against Qaqundah dismissed) and Can Turkmen, both 19, were arrested shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday on suspicion of possession of a weapon on school property and threat and intimidation, said Lt. Mike Sellers, a Santa Clara police spokesman.

The two sophomores, both residents of Swig, engaged in a verbal altercation with the victim, another male Swig resident, earlier that evening outside the residence hall, said Sellers.

Both suspects then left the premises, before returning to the building to engage in another verbal altercation, where they threatened the victim with a folding knife and a box cutter, Sellers said.

Witnesses reported that the suspects may have been drinking that evening, said Sellers, though a toxicology report was not filed.

Phil Beltran, assistant director of Campus Safety, referred all questions to the Office of Student Life. Director of Campus Safety Charlie Arolla sent an advisory email to students, faculty, and staff Monday afternoon.

Matthew Duncan, associate dean for student life, declined to comment on all aspects of the incident, including what disciplinary action the students may face through the university, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Updates:
Sophomores charged with misdemeanors in Dec. 2 knife incident
Charges dismissed in Dec. knife incident

Contact Johanna Mitchell at (408) 554-4546 or jjmitchell@scu.edu.