Shalom Mathews, a 19-year-old student at Rochester’s St. John Fisher University, was arrested Friday on two counts of stalking — just two days after holding a school staff member at knifepoint.
The suspect, of Brighton, was detained on two counts of third-degree stalking after sending “unwanted, harassing and sexually explicit messages” to multiple people over “an extended period of time,” Brighton Police said.
Mathews was arraigned in Brighton Town Court and released on his own recognizance. He’s due back in court on March 11.
On Wednesday, St. John Fisher went into lockdown after Mathews allegedly entered a staffer’s office, menaced her with a knife and attempted to make sexual contact. The alleged victim managed to disarm Mathews, who Monroe County Police located the following day after an extensive search. He was charged with attempted kidnapping and sexual abuse.
Chief Deputy Michael Fowler said Mathews’ alleged victim — who’s affiliated with the university’s pharmacy school — believes her attacker has “emotional disturbance issues.”
Mathews reportedly expressed concerns to the staffer that his poor grades at the school would cause trouble within his family. He’s accused of attempting to stab the school employee when she suggested he might benefit from psychological help.
