A Puyallup man who claims he was denied entry at Gonzaga University was so angry that he stabbed a cab driver to death after leaving campus, authorities said.
Gonzaga confirms to KIRO 7 News that an individual matching the description of 19-year-old Jacob Coleman reportedly approached a campus housing official Monday, but the university says that they have no records of applications from the man.
Scroll down to keep reading what we know now.
The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office reported that Coleman flew from Seattle to Spokane with the intention of starting class, but after being denied entry, he started to have homicidal thoughts.
He flagged down a cab, asking for a ride to a friend's fictitious address, according to authorities. Coleman allegedly asked the taxi driver to stop at a store in
Ponderay, Idaho, where he bought a knife.
The cab driver, 22-year-old Gagandeep Sing, pulled over after realizing Coleman did not have a real destination. Investigators say that’s when Coleman stabbed him to death.
Singh’s family called the cab company after he failed to check in with him, and deputies started a search that ended when his body was found in the taxi.
Coleman surrendered to authorities, who arrested him for investigation of murder. Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to call police at 208-263-8417.
<strong>Gonzaga released this full statement:</strong>
"Gonzaga University has no record of an application for admission from Jacob Coleman of Puyallup, WA," Director of Community and Public Relations spokesperson Mary Joan Hahn said in a statement. "An individual matching his description was reported to have approached housing officials on campus Monday. As Mr. Coleman was not enrolled as a student, he was never assigned to campus housing and was informed of this fact by the Housing and Residence Life Office. We continue to gather information and work with law enforcement to support their investigation. Our hearts go out to the victim of this tragic crime and his family."