Categories: Florida

University of Central Florida Student Planned Larger-Scale Attack

ORLANDO, Florida — Authorities believe that 30-year-old James Oliver Seevakumaran was planning a massive attack on the University of Central Florida main campus in Orlando, Florida before he took his own life. No individuals were named specifically, and he was acting alone, according to preliminary investigations.

During the investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, authorities discovered a handgun, tactical assault rifle and backpack containing four improvised explosive devices in his apartment.

“Times like today challenge us individually, as an organization, and as a university community,” said UCF President John C. Hitt. “The first test for all of us is whether we are focused on the safety of our community, and I am confident that UCF has passed that test. The safety and welfare of our students, faculty and staff, visitors, and neighbors is UCF’s highest priority. The test of compassion is also very important, and our prayers go to everyone affected by today’s incident.”

“It could have been a very bad day for everybody here,” said UCF Police Chief Richard Beary. “All things considered, I think we were very here blessed at the University of Central Florida.”

Seevakumaran was a student in the College of Business Administration enrolled from fall 2010 through fall 2012. However, he was not enrolled in any courses in spring 2013 and was in the process of being removed from UCF housing, where he lived on the third floor of Tower 1 residence hall in Knights Plaza.

All classes on all campuses have resumed after Tower 1 was cleared of explosives.