California State University Student Allegedly Killed by Roommate in Stabbing Incident

A California State University art student was stabbed to death by his own roommate in a sudden, violent attack.

Spencer Timms, a 22-year-old industrial design student from Cal State Long Beach, was fatally stabbed in the chest multiple times at a home on Temple Avenue last week, as reported by authorities. He tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

His roommate, 34-year-old Alejandro Iniestra, was arrested at the residence and is being held on $2 million bail.

‘I just thought it was really sad. It’s never that serious,’ Isaac Wright, a student and resident of campus, told KTLA 5 News. 

‘We’re just here trying to get an education,’ one student commented. ‘You never expect anything like this to happen. Everyone here is really nice, so you’d never anticipate such an incident.’

On October 4, just after 10:30 am, officers from the Long Beach Police Department were dispatched to a residence on the 1300 block of Temple Avenue following an ‘assist fire’ call. 

Inside the home, authorities were confronted with two men heavily bleeding from stab wounds to the upper body, including Timms, who was declared died at the scene.

The second victim – a third roommate whose identity has not yet been released – was fortunately transported to the hospital in stable condition. 

Iniestra, who remained throughout, was taken into custody by authorities without any incident. 

Homicide detectives are now trying to determine what led to the seemingly random attack, though they believe the 34-year-old suspect attacked one roommate before unleashing violence on the other, according to authorities.

He was taken into custody on murder and attempted murder charges, where a judge slapped him with a hefty bail. 

‘We are profoundly saddened by the loss of our student, Spencer Timms,’ university spokesperson Jeffrey Cook said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.

‘We have been in touch with Spencer’s family, and have been reaching out to and supporting his Beach classmates and faculty,’ he added.

In a statement to students obtained by The Independent, Royce W Smith, the dean for the school’s College of Arts, described Timms as an ‘incredibly positive and impactful student’ who maintained a 4.0 GPA and shared a passion for design.

‘I remember quite well meeting Spencer on one of my visits to the department and clearly recall seeing and admiring the creative fire in him and his work,’ Smith wrote.

‘A student who knew he had something special to offer and who put all of himself into honing his talents and focusing his ambition,’ he added.

Along with murder and attempted murder charges, Iniestra faces special allegations for wielding a deadly weapon in both assaults, according to court records.

Detectives are preparing to forward the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for evaluation and potential prosecution. 

He is set to be arraigned on October 21 and could spend life behind bars if convicted, as reported by the LA Times.  

Authorities are urging anyone with information to call Long Beach homicide detectives Juan Carlos Reyes and Jesus Espinoza at 562-570-7244. 

Anonymous tips can also be submitted via LA Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or LACrimeStoppers.org.