Photo by Here in Van Nuys via Flickr

USC Vice President for Student Affairs, Michael L. Jackson, sent this e-mail alert out to students this morning:

I regret to inform the USC community of the tragic death of one of our own. Cinematic Arts student Bryan Richard Frost was stabbed during an early morning off campus altercation, and was pronounced dead after transport to California Hospital. After the stabbing, the assailant fled the scene. The incident is being aggressively investigated by LAPD. I know that you all join me in sympathy for Bryan’s family and friends. Anyone affected by this tragedy is asked to contact the Student Counseling center at 213 740 8742 or Student Affairs at 213 740 2421.

Frost was reportedly walking with two other students near 28th Street and Orchard Avenue when the argument turned fight began for unknown reasons. USC officials alerted students last week about two sexual assaults.

Update, 12:00 p.m.: The LAPD sent out this press release regarding the incident:

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Detectives from Robbery Homicide Division are investigating the murder of a University of Southern California (USC) student.

At about 2:30 this morning, three USC students were walking past a gated multi-unit apartment complex in the area of 28th Street and Orchard Avenue. While walking, a male Black yelled out to the students. Consequently, one of the students became involved in a heated argument with the suspect, which led to a physical fight on the ground.

After the fight, the suspect fled on foot and the victim, 23-year-old Bryan Richard Frost, a student in the USC School of Cinematic Arts, told his friends that he thought he may have been stabbed.

The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Robbery Homicide Division is handling the investigation, and authorities at the campus have issued a student alert. There is no evidence that this incident was gang related.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Robbery Homicide Detectives at (213) 485-2155. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a

24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org. All tips will remain anonymous.

Update, 3:53 p.m.: USC Vice President for Student Affairs, Michael L. Jackson sends out a second and more detailed e-mail to the students.

Notice to the Community

I regret to inform the USC community of the tragic death of one of our own. Cinematic Arts student Bryan Richard Frost was stabbed during an early morning off-campus altercation, and was pronounced dead after transport to California Hospital. After the stabbing, the assailant fled the scene. The incident is being aggressively investigated by LAPD.

I know that you join me in sympathy for Bryan’s family and friends. This young man was clearly highly accomplished and motivated; he was pursuing his second bachelor’s degree at USC. As his colleagues and co-students, we are all grieving today. Anyone affected by this tragedy is asked to contact the Student Counseling Center or Student Affairs.

Last night’s incident was highly unusual in that an unfortunate turn of events brought about violence when an argument turned into a fistfight and then a stabbing. Overall, crime in our community has been steadily decreasing in the past two years, but this tragic death, and earlier instances this semester remind us that personal safety and community safety begins with each individual in the Trojan Family.

We remind our students to avail themselves of the many protections in place to ensure their safety and to encourage their friends to do so as well. Presentations on safety and security are given at orientation, at residence halls, and through the Greek Council and Student Government throughout the year. Through the “United for a Safer Community Campaign,” we monthly walk our neighborhoods and provide crime deterrence information to residents and community members.

The Campus Cruiser system is available to provide rides to students from 5 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. each day. On average, about 4,000 trips are conducted each week through this system. We will be immediately reviewing this system to see what we need to do to encourage more students to use it, and to see whether we need to extend the night-time hours of operation.

USC has one of the nation’s largest university-based public safety offices, with more than 230 security officers and staff members. DPS patrols the University Park campus and the surrounding area constantly, and works very closely with LAPD to pay special attention to emerging threats and situations in the community. On any night, during the peak hours of student activity in and around the campus, a minimum of 35 DPS members are patrolling or serving at fixed stations to deter crime and respond to calls for service. During other times a minimum of 20 members are doing the same.

In addition, DPS recently signed a new memorandum of understanding with the LAPD that provided additional support to the campus community through the assignment of an LAPD detective, a senior lead officer, and a night-time LAPD patrol vehicle to the UPC. This is allowing us to provide a more coordinated approach to crime suppression. Over the last two years, we have also worked together to increase physical and electronic monitoring in many high-traffic areas both on- and off-campus.

Despite all of these preparations and systems in place, the security of the members of the Trojan Family is a collective responsibility. Students are reminded that each individual is the first link in the chain of security. Please remember that Trojans helping Trojans can suppress crime in our community.

Again, our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Bryan Frost – we will keep them in our thoughts.

Sincerely,
Michael L. Jackson
Vice President for Student Affairs