UC Merced students and staff receive outpouring of support from community

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- There's been an outpouring of support from across the country for UC Merced. Students and staff are also coming together.

A day after a stabbing spree took over UC Merced, students lingered on campus. "I'm feeling a little uneasy right now staying here. It's the first time the campus has ever had something like this happen," said Nicholas De La Fuente, UC Merced student.

De La Fuente and his friend, Jesse Cantrell, are saying it's been a somber 24-hours in the dorms after four people were stabbed. "Sometimes it's frantic. When I first heard the news, some people were coming in crying that were there pretty close to the scene," De La Fuente explained.

The two were especially shocked because the attacker was a freshman, like them.

On this small and tight-knit campus, they say students have been supporting each other and listening to one another. The school is also providing counseling services to those who were impacted.

Student leaders have also set up a GoFundMe account to help the victims of the stabbing. They're also encouraging people to send letters of support. Donations have already come in from alumni and supporters online. College campuses, like Fresno State and the UC system, have been stepping in to help by inviting them to campus and also providing staff from police officers to counselors. "They've got our backs and we appreciate it a good deal," said Lorena Anderson, UC Merced.

Students said they've also seen an outpouring of support on social media.

These words and gestures are helping during a difficult time. "It leaves a mark on everyone's hearts, so, I hope they heal," said Linda Chang, UC Merced.

"I think the students here are resilient, they're going to bounce back even better than before," Jesse Cantrell, UC Merced student.