FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

News

UCLA Gunman Had 'Kill List' That Included Woman Found Dead in Minnesota, Police Say

Police identified the gunman who killed a UCLA professor before taking his own life as 38-year-old Mainak Sarkar, a student of the professor.
Photo by Mike Nelson/EPA

Los Angeles police identified the gunman who killed a UCLA professor before taking his own life on Wednesday as 38-year-old Mainak Sarkar, and said Sarkar had written a "kill list" that included a woman who has been found dead in Minnesota.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said on Thursday that investigators found the "kill list" while searching Sarkar's home in Minnesota. Authorities have not yet identified the victim in Minnesota or detailed the circumstances of the killing.

Advertisement

The list also contained the name of another UCLA professor, whom Beck did not identify; the professor was unharmed. The victim of the shooting on Wednesday was previously identified by police as engineering professor William Klug. His name was also included on the list, Beck said.

"In the residence in Minnesota, we found multiple items, including extra ammunition and also a note with names on it indicating a kill list," Beck told local television station KTLA.

"Professor Klug's name was on that list, as was another UCLA professor who was all right," Beck said.

Related: UCLA Professor Was Reportedly Killed by a Student 'Despondent About His Grades'

The attack appeared to be provoked by Sarkar's belief that Klug had stolen computer code from him, according to a March blog post that was apparently authored by Sarkar.

"Your enemy is my enemy. But your friend can do a lot more harm," Sarkar wrote. "Be careful about whom you trust."

The Los Angeles Times quoted an unnamed university source as saying the claims made in the blog were "untrue" and "absolutely psychotic."

The anger reflected in the March blog contrasted with earlier online records indicating Sarkar had gotten along with Klug. In a copy of his 2013 dissertation posted online, Sarkar thanked the professor.

"I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. William Klug, for all his help and support. Thank you for being my mentor," Sarkar wrote.

Advertisement

Klug, 39, was a married father of two children, UCLA said in a statement on Thursday.

"Our entire UCLA family is mourning the loss of Professor Klug, a respected, dedicated, and caring faculty member," Gene Block, the university's chancellor, said in a statement.

Other reports quoted unnamed law enforcement sources as saying Sarkar was upset about receiving a poor grade in one of Klug's classes.

University officials said classes would resume on Thursday and counselors will be available for students, faculty, and staff.

Follow VICE News on Twitter: @vicenews