Idaho police are now saying there is “possibly” still a threat to the Moscow community after four students were murdered in their home near the University of Idaho on the morning of Nov. 13.
Police are still looking for persons of interest or suspects in the murders, and no one is in custody as of Wednesday afternoon.
“We do not have a suspect at this time, and we cannot say there is no threat to the community,” Moscow Police Department Chief James Fry said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.
Police said earlier this week that there was no threat, citing evidence from their preliminary investigation indicating that the killings were “an isolated, targeted” incident.
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Flowers and stuffed animals are left at the entrance to the University of Idaho on Monday, November 14, 2022.
(Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
“Chief Fry’s comment was not misspoken,” Idaho State Police spokesperson Aaron Snell told Fox News Digital in a statement. “As there is a suspect outstanding, there remains a threat. However, it is believed this was a targeted incident.”
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The victims of the early Sunday attack are Ethan Chapin, 20; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.
Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves shared multiple photos together on social media.
(Instagram/ @kayleegoncalves)
University of Idaho victims Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.
(Instagram: @ethanchapin4)
Fry said during the press conference that ‘there is a threat out there, possibly.”
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“We need to be vigilant. We need to watch out for our neighbors,” Fry told reporters.
Police search a home in Moscow, Idaho on Monday, November 14, 2022, where four University of Idaho students were killed over the weekend in an apparent quadruple homicide.
(Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
The four students’ deaths have been ruled homicides, and while “no weapons have been located…investigators believe that an edged weapon such as a knife was used” in the attack, Moscow police said in a Tuesday statement. Autopsies are currently being conducted.
Police on Sunday responded to initial reports of an unconscious person on King Road — adjacent to Greek Row — around noon and found the four deceased students upon arrival. Officers stationed outside the home this week described a bloody scene inside.
Investigators search a home in Moscow, Idaho on Monday, November 14, 2022, where four University of Idaho students were killed over the weekend in an apparent quadruple homicide.
(Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
There were no signs of forced entry, and the door of the home was still open when police arrived on Sunday, Fry said Wednesday.
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Police said on Tuesday that “based on information from the preliminary investigation, investigators believe this was an isolated, targeted attack and there is no imminent threat to the community at large.” The University of Idaho also said in a statement that there was no threat.
University of Idaho student homicide victims were allegedly stabbed to death.
(Derek Shook for Fox News/ Instagram)
Many students left campus early before Thanksgiving break after the tragedy.
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Local authorities have partnered with state and federal law enforcement offices on the case and are asking anyone with information to contact the Moscow police at 208-883-7054.
