College mentor fatally stabbed by student after ‘personal dispute’

Madison Rexroat

After what was called a “personal dispute” by authorities, a graduate student at the University of Southern California stabbed and killed psychology professor and mentor, Bosco Tjan.

David Jonathan Brown, who is now being held on $1 million bail, is a 28-year-old brain and cognitive science student who worked in a lab directed by Tjan.

“This was not a random act of violence,” said USC’s Department of Public Safety in a news release, cited by the Washington Post. The Los Angeles police were quick to ensure students that the incident was believed to be about a “personal dispute” and that the public were not in any danger. The incident happened just days after an attack, believed to be terrorism-related, injured 11 people on Ohio State University’s campus.

Tjan is survived by a wife and son.

To read the full report by the Washington Post, click here.