New Facts in LA Tech Fatal Stabbing and Trauma Counseling

There’s new information about what led up to that fatal stabbing on the Louisiana Tech University campus on Monday [November 13] morning. Investigators say shortly before the stabbing attack of four women outside Lambright Sports and Wellness center, the suspect, Jacoby Johnson, pulled out a knife inside, on a student playing basketball. Johnson reportedly chased the student outside where the attack happened. Local artist Annie Richardson died Tuesday night after being taken off life support at a Shreveport hospital. Police say another stabbing victim ---retired district court judge Cynthia Woodward was believed to be in critical condition.
The authorities have said this was a random attack, and there does not appear to be any underlying motive… just a random act of violence. A very telling moment of the investigation came during the news conference on Tuesday, in which Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker strongly emphasized one potentially critical factor saying, “I want to take this time to emphasize the importance of mental health awareness. It is critical that we come together as a community and a state to support and promote mental well-being. I urge anyone in need of assistance to utilize any resources available.”
Louisiana Tech University Counseling Services has had group sessions available on the third floor of Kenney Hall. Shreveport psychologist Dr. Webb Sentell, MD, PhD, explains that kind of counseling requires being genuine, giving unconditional positive regard… and reflecting feelings. “So that you let them do the talking and then you reflect back, you know, what you’re hearing. And then that helps them feel validated and be able to work through the confusion of what they just experienced or survived.”
Dr. Sentell says this kind of counseling is also not something that should be technique oriented. Instead, it involves counselors being present, compassionate and a good listener. Sentell also described what is called the 3 H’s in which the victim feels helpless, hopeless, and hapless: “When people get so far down that they just can’t fend for themselves, and they just have completely lost hope and don’t know what to do. Then that person’s really at risk of, you know, being in a situation where things could get worse for them individually. So, that’s what I listen for .”
Sentell also addresses the super agitated person, who may need some space and time. He says they’re the ones pacing back and forth, self- soothing any way they can.
Finally, Dr. Sentell says there is a role that medication can play in working through trauma. Several newer prescription drugs have been effective in treatment for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).