UC Merced stabbing suspect's hometown shocked

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- The sheriff said Thursday that the suspect's family was surprised, and never expected him to do something like this.

Classes went on as usual Thursday at Wilcox High School in Santa Clara. But the talk on campus was about the student who graduated earlier this year, now accused of plotting, and carrying out, a stabbing spree at UC Merced.

Counselors were on campus at the northern California high school for anyone who wants to talk about their former classmate or what happened. Dana Adame says her nephew knew Faisal Muhammed. "He didn't stand out at all from anybody, he was just quiet. Never mean, never-- just kept to himself."

Muhammed was smart and excelled academically according to high school officials. Many said they were sad and shocked to hear what happened at UC Merced.