Arrest Made in Murder of UT Student Haruka Weiser

By THC Staff | April 8, 2016

 

April 8, 10:46 A.M. 

Per the Austin Police Department’s press conference, a suspect is in custody for the murder of Haruka Weiser with thanks to the Austin community, the University of Texas, and the Austin law enforcement.

The suspect booked at the Travis County Jail, per the press conference announcement, is Meechaiel Khalil Criner. He is a 17-year-old homeless black male who was identified following a trash can fire that the Austin Fire Department responded to on Thursday, April 7. Through security footage around the garbage fire, the Austin Fire Department linked their suspect to the video released by the Austin Police Department earlier in the week.

Criner was found in possession of a woman’s bicycle and a small blue duffel bag that matched the description of Weiser’s own. In the trash can fire, the Fire Department was able to save a few items that were confirmed to be Weiser’s. The Austin Police Department announced that they are very certain the suspect they have in custody IS the murderer in the case of Haruka Weiser and charges will be formally filed this afternoon, April 8.

Criner was originally booked for tampering with evidence, but after further review, the Police Department was able to detain him. Haruka Weiser’s mother told the Austin Police Department to “please tell all of your officers, please tell everyone at the University of Texas, thank you. But also tell them to take care of themselves, to go home and hug your children, not once, but twice.”

Justice will be brought to the Weiser family and the case will continue as the Austin Police Department and the Homicide Department focus their efforts on finalizing the case.

April 8, 10:00 a.m.

KVUE reported that a 17-year-old man is the suspect in question and “police are planning to pursue charges against him Friday.” The team also revealed that multiple sources have confirmed the suspect’s arrest, but no names have been released because he has not been formally charged.

Additionally, they also reported that “Austin firefighters provided a crucial tip to police after they responded to a small fire involving a backpack” which held some of Weiser’s belongings, bringing focus back to the video released of a suspect on a bicycle wearing two backpacks.

On the morning of April 8, the Austin Police Department announced that they had a suspect in custody in the case of Haruka Weiser’s murder.

Released to the public via the following tweet, the Austin Police Department will hold a press conference at 10:30 am confirming the announcement of the arrest.