Police release names of Frat Row stabbing victims
Photo credit: Elizabeth Caristi/Collegian
A sign with the words "No Comment" hangs from the door of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity near UMass Amherst Oct. 4, 2005.
By Dan O'Brien, Collegian Staff
October 5, 2005
"No Comment," was the word from Zeta Beta Tau fraternity members yesterday regarding the stabbing early Sunday morning near their residence that has put many University of Massachusetts students on edge.
Meanwhile, Amherst police now say the stabbing victims were five UMass students and one non-student. Another student was also injured.
Christopher Canton, 21, of 374 N. Pleasant St., an economics and political science major, received a stab wound to the head. He remained in stable condition yesterday at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, according to John Quill, Vice President of Standards for the UMass Interfraternity Council.
Joseph Gratton of 374 N. Pleasant St., a journalism major, received a stab wound to the left bicep. He was treated at released from Baystate Medical Center.
Stephen Fiore, 20, of Somerville, a management major, received several stab wounds to the back. He was still listed in stable condition yesterday, according to Quill.
Alp Akiner, 18, of Woodcliff Lake, N.J. received a stab wound to the side. He was treated and released from Baystate Medical Center.
Sean Fitzgibbons of North Attleboro received a stab wound to the forearm. He was treated at the UMass Infirmary and released.
Thi Ly, 23, of 266 E. Hadley Rd., the only non-student whom police have identified, received a knife wound to the hand. He was treated and released from Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.
Blake Gideon of 374 N. Pleasant St., a UMass student, reported bruises to his head, but was not taken to the hospital.
Police believe the individuals involved in the incident had an altercation outside a local bar last weekend. However, police do not think the person who did the stabbing was a UMass student.
The fight that led to the stabbings occurred outside Pi Delta Psi, 389 N. Pleasant St., commonly referred to as ?Frat Row.? The fight involved members from both the Pi Delta Psi and Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternities.
UMass spokesperson Ed Blaguszewski said a review of the case by the administration will be done to determine any disciplinary action against the students involved, once the Amherst police is finished with their investigation. In addition, he said, ?we?re providing Amherst police with whatever assistance they need.?
"While this is obviously a very serious incident, it involves a small number of people making bad choices,? Blaguszewski said. "It's not something representative that occurs at this university."
The UMass Interfraternity Council, which represents the interests of several campus fraternities, including ZBT, released a statement yesterday that condemned the violence and distanced fraternity members from the violent acts.
"The fight was not instigated by either Zeta Beta Tau or Pi Delta Psi members," the statement said. "One of the members of Zeta BBeta Tau was attacked from behind, and ten stabbed in the head. Another member, seeing that his friend was being beaten on the ground, attempted to remove him, and was stabbed in the arm."
It was only two weekends ago on Sunday, Sept. 25 when UMass police issued a Crime Alert after a man was found with a .45 caliber handgun after a report of a possible armed robbery and shooting. Police believe the suspect is a gang member from Springfield.
With the recent spike in violence, some UMass students feel less safe about walking alone or socializing on Frat Row.
"Yes, this incident will change my plans," said Masooda Gohari, a junior biochemistry major. "I don't feel as comfortable to go party there now... I always worry now about my friends going there."
"It's creepy," said Tiffani O'Connor, a pre-major in English who often frequents the fraternities. "Usually nothing happens in Amherst, ever."
Meanwhile, some students say they will not change their usual routines due to these incidents.
"This campus is fairly safe, and sometimes these types of incidents happen," said Lacy Flemming, a senior, who says she frequently walks home alone after working the late shift. "You can't let things like this change your life."
###
Copyright Daniel O�Brien and the Massachusetts Daily Collegian. This article may not be redistributed without written permission under United States law.