Austin, Tex. — Austin police have arrested a homeless 17-year-old they believe killed a Portland, Oregon student at the University of Texas.
The Austin Police Department says Meechaiel Criner was booked around 2:00 Friday morning and will be charged with the death of Haruka Weiser.
Austin Chief of Police, Art Acevedo says the Austin Fire Department and a woman who called 911 about a trash fire Monday are responsible for helping police connect the dots and make the arrest.
Firefighters and the woman called 911 after police released surveillance footage of the suspect, saying the man who set the fire resembled the man in the video.
He was found and arrested at a homeless shelter without incident.
Chief Acevedo says it’s too soon to understand a motive. “This investigation is absolutely very active, we’re nowhere near complete but it’s also very important for this community to realize that we are very certain that the subject we have in custody, the suspect is in custody, the suspect responsible for the death of this beautiful young woman,” said Acevedo.
The parents of Haruka attended a vigil for their daughter last night. Haruka’s mother asked Chief Acevedo to thank everyone involved in helping the family find justice.
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