iStock/Thinkstock(SALT LAKE CITY) — A manhunt is intensifying in Salt Lake City after a University of Utah international student was gunned down near campus Monday night, according to police and the university.
ChenWei Guo was killed in a “senseless, random act of violence,” University of Utah President David Pershing said in a statement Tuesday morning.
Pershing said Guo was parked near the gate in Red Butte Canyon, near the University of Utah, when he was shot dead during an apparent carjacking attempt.
The Salt Lake City Police Department identified the suspect as 24-year-old Austin Boutain and said he is considered armed and dangerous.
The University of Utah Police did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Salt Lake City Police told ABC News this morning that authorities, including SWAT members, are searching the foothills above campus for the suspect. Police said the canyon is closed Tuesday.
Pershing said that university police “are confident that our campus is secure.”
Guo, a pre-computer science major, also worked as a peer adviser in the school’s International Student and Scholar Services Office and had “a promising future,” Pershing said.
“We have been in contact with ChenWei’s family in China and they are understandably devastated by the loss of their son. We are working to bring them to Utah as soon as possible and will offer them all the assistance we can,” Pershing said. “We have canceled classes today in respect of ChenWei and the impact this violent event has had on our campus community.”
Pershing said counseling is available to students, staff and faculty.
Copyright © 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.