{ "id": "2024-06-19-hofstra-university-slashing", "slug": "hofstra-university-slashing-2024-06-19", "institution": { "name": "Hofstra University", "shortName": "Hofstra", "state": "NY", "type": "private-r2", "alertSystemName": "Hofstra Public Safety Alert", "enrollment": 11000 }, "incident": { "date": "2024-06-19", "type": "stabbing", "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification", "resolution": "confirmed-threat", "headline": "Two people slashed by masked attackers outside a graduation event at the arena", "headlinePublic": "Two people slashed by masked attackers outside a graduation event at the arena", "summary": "On June 19, 2024, two people were [slashed by a group of masked men](https://thehofstrachronicle.com/79561/news/2024-7-19-today-has-been-one-month-since-the-slashing-at-hofstra-university-students-recall-their-experiences-on-that-day/) outside the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University, where Academy Charter High School was hosting its graduation ceremony. Hofstra Public Safety sent a text alert at about 4:20 PM EDT advising students to avoid the Mack arena area; officials later [characterized the attack as related to a domestic dispute](https://pix11.com/news/2-slashed-in-domestic-dispute-near-hofstra-universitys-sports-complex-officials/).", "outcome": "Seven men from Hempstead, NY were arrested and charged with attempted gang assault in the first degree. Both victims were treated and released from Nassau University Medical Center. The attack appeared to target specific individuals attending the graduation.", "casualties": { "killed": 0, "injured": 2 } }, "alerts": [ { "sequence": 1, "type": "initial", "timestamp": "2024-06-19T16:20:00-04:00", "timestampApprox": "About 4:20 PM EDT on June 19, 2024, around the time of the attack", "channel": "sms", "verbatimText": "Hofstra University Public Safety - Due to ongoing police activity avoid the area around the Arena.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://thehofstrachronicle.com/79561/news/2024-7-19-today-has-been-one-month-since-the-slashing-at-hofstra-university-students-recall-their-experiences-on-that-day/", "sourceDescription": "Hofstra Chronicle student newspaper, which quoted the SMS alert verbatim", "annotations": [ "Verbatim text quoted by the Hofstra Chronicle; the Chronicle reported Public Safety sent the text at about 4:20 PM EDT on June 19, 2024, essentially contemporaneous with the attack", "The message referenced the 'Arena' without specifying the Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex by full name" ], "characterCount": 98 } ], "context": "On the afternoon of June 19, 2024, Academy Charter High School held its graduation ceremony at the [David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex](https://thehofstrachronicle.com/79561/news/2024-7-19-today-has-been-one-month-since-the-slashing-at-hofstra-university-students-recall-their-experiences-on-that-day/) on Hofstra University's campus in Hempstead, New York. At approximately 4:20 PM EDT, as the ceremony was ending, [several masked individuals attacked guests outside the arena](https://abc7ny.com/post/hofstra-university-stabbing-police-investigating-after-2-people/14977118/). One adult was slashed in the leg, and a graduate who attempted to intervene was cut on the ear. Hofstra Public Safety was first on the scene, followed by Emergency Medical Services and the Nassau County Police Department. The university sent a text alert at about 4:20 PM EDT advising students to avoid the area around the Arena. [Seven men from Hempstead](https://nassauda.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1689) were subsequently arrested and charged with attempted gang assault in the first degree and related weapons charges, though early reporting put the count at six. Officials [described the slashing as related to a domestic dispute](https://pix11.com/news/2-slashed-in-domestic-dispute-near-hofstra-universitys-sports-complex-officials/). The [incident raised concerns](https://www.foxnews.com/us/hofstra-university-stabbing-6-face-gang-assault-charges-attack-charter-school-graduation) among Hofstra students about campus safety, particularly regarding events hosted by outside organizations on university property.", "keyFindings": [ "Public Safety's text alert went out essentially contemporaneously with the attack (about 4:20 PM EDT)", "The attack struck attendees of a non-university event hosted at a campus facility, blurring the boundary of campus safety jurisdiction; officials linked it to a domestic dispute", "Seven suspects were ultimately arrested and charged (early reporting said six)" ], "sources": [ { "title": "Slashing at Hofstra Incites Concerns Amongst Students About Their Safety (Hofstra Chronicle)", "url": "https://thehofstrachronicle.com/79561/news/2024-7-19-today-has-been-one-month-since-the-slashing-at-hofstra-university-students-recall-their-experiences-on-that-day/", "type": "student-newspaper" }, { "title": "Hofstra University stabbing: Police investigating after 2 people stabbed (ABC7 New York)", "url": "https://abc7ny.com/post/hofstra-university-stabbing-police-investigating-after-2-people/14977118/", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "Seven Men Charged in Alleged Assault at High School Graduation (Nassau County DA)", "url": "https://nassauda.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1689", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Hofstra University stabbing: 6 face gang assault charges (Fox News)", "url": "https://www.foxnews.com/us/hofstra-university-stabbing-6-face-gang-assault-charges-attack-charter-school-graduation", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "2 slashed in domestic dispute near Hofstra University's sports complex: officials (PIX11)", "url": "https://pix11.com/news/2-slashed-in-domestic-dispute-near-hofstra-universitys-sports-complex-officials/", "type": "local-media" } ], "confidence": "high", "tags": [ "stabbing", "slashing", "new-york", "long-island", "graduation-ceremony", "gang-assault", "outside-event", "private-university" ], "dateAdded": "2026-05-03", "lastUpdated": "2026-05-29", "addedBy": "ingestion" }