Chico police were able to apprehend Barry Sayavong, 19, at the corner of West Sacramento and Citrus avenues minutes after the attack. ... However, police said there is also no evidence that Sayavong and his unknown accomplice knew who Igbineweka was at the time of the attack.

Chico police said Igbineweka was walking with friends on Warner Street near West Sacramento Avenue just off the north end of the university about 2:20 a.m. Sunday when a young man began yelling racial slurs at him.

Police say the alleged assailant, Barry Sayavong, 19, of Chico then pulled a knife and began to slash and stab Igbineweka. Responding officers found Sayavong about a block away from the site of the attack and arrested him.

Igbineweka suffered wounds to his neck, chest, abdomen and arm.

Student Brian Ray, 20, a junior, said the attack stunned students. Ray, vice president of the Chico State Democratic Club, described Igbineweka as wonderful person who works well with all students.

"I know this is not even close to being reflective of the student body at all," Ray said of the attack. "There has never been anything like this since I've been here."

Igbineweka's biography on the Chico State Associated Students website identifies him as a senior majoring in political science.

"I was born in Nigeria and moved to the U.S. when I was 15 years old," he states in his biography. "I finished my high school in Richmond, California."

Joe Wills, director of public affairs for Chico State, said the stabbing was a shock and distressing to the entire close-knit campus.

"He is on the minds of people here," Wills said.

The university president, Paul Zingg, is speaking with community leaders in an effort to head off future hate crimes, Wills said.

Wills said that just last week a student candidate of Middle Eastern descent had campaign signs defaced. One poster had the word "Arab" scrawled on it.

In his biography on the Chico State Associated Students website, Igbineweka identifies himself as a senior majoring in political science who moved to the U.S. from Nigeria at age 15.


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