Merced Mysteries & Minutia: Support on social media a silver lining in UC Merced attacks

This column is usually a place where I answer questions from readers.

But recent comments and questions focused around the events at UC Merced, and so will this column.

When the world heard the news that an 18-year-old student stabbed four others before UC Merced police fatally shot him on the main bridge on campus, lots of people had lots to say. And they turned to the fastest and easiest platform to do so – social media.

Many comments were hateful and negative. But in this column, I’d like to talk about the silver lining of this tragedy.

One thing that quickly emerged on social media was the sense of community from students. UC Merced was a trending topic both on Facebook and Twitter. So were the hashtags #BobcatStrong and #IStandWithUCMerced.

Though it’s nearly impossible to track where the hashtags originated, my best guess would be students. With those hashtags, students shared positive messages about unity, prayer and moving forward. They said despite what took place on their campus, they were still proud to be a Bobcat. They didn’t regret their decision in choosing to attend UC Merced.

“Glad to be a part of a school community that comes closer together during such tragic times,” one girl tweeted.

Others besides students jumped in with encouraging words, too, such as Fresno State’s president, Joseph Castro, who served as the founding director of academic programs at UC Merced before the campus opened. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., offered her prayers for the campus, as did MC Hammer, who is on the university’s Foundation board of trustees. MC Hammer’s tweet was complete with emojis.

Facebook commenters loved the hero in the tragic story, Byron Price.

Price, 31, of Merced is a private contractor who was working on campus when the attacks happened. He ran to the classroom when he heard a scream. He tried to fight off the attacker and was stabbed. He continued trying to help the other victims.

Many comments offered to buy him a drink at the bar or dinner at a restaurant. One suggested Price receive a medal. “When you put yourself in danger to save others, you are a true hero,” one commenter said.

UC Merced students and faculty attended a candlelight vigil Friday on campus, prompting another message to emerge: UC Merced promised to take back the bridge where the attacker was killed.

With this message, the vigil and the purposeful march across the bridge, UC Merced students were adamant about moving forward and not letting Wednesday’s tragic events define the campus.

This story was originally published November 8, 2015 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Merced Mysteries & Minutia: Support on social media a silver lining in UC Merced attacks."