UT student sexually assaulted and strangled

According to law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation, University of Texas-Austin dance student Haruka Weiser was sexually assaulted and strangled to death last week. The Austin American-Statesman reports that forensic examiners are awaiting additional DNA results before possibly filing additional charges against 17-year-old Meechaiel Khalil Criner, who was already charged with Weiser’s murder. Police suggest Weiser was randomly targeted, and surveillance footage appears to show Criner and Weiser crossing paths, with the former stopping his walk to watch her and then pull out a “shiny object” before following her behind the alumni center.