Sonoma State Stabbing Victim and Alleged Attacker Weren't Students

Police say both a man stabbed to death in a dorm at Sonoma State University and his attacker were not students at the school. The attack took place on Sunday night. Petaluma police Lt. Tim Lyons said Monday the two were acquaintances and visiting friends on campus.

According to Lyons, the victim was a 26-year-old man from Sonoma County. His name was not released, pending notification of his family.

Police arrested 19-year-old Tyler Bratton of Santa Rosa.

“We do not know as yet the motive in this case," Lyons said in a statement.

The stabbing at the Sauvignon Village happened as students prepared for finals week. The dorm is a housing option for freshmen.

University officials said counselors were available to students. The university also offered hotel rooms and pizza to students who couldn't get back into the building Sunday night because of the police investigation. No students, however, took the offered hotel rooms.

"In the 57 years of Sonoma State we've never had a situation like this before," said school spokesman Paul Gullixson.

According to a statement from university president Judy K. Sakaki, all the residences are now reopened except for the one dorm room where the incident took place.