A person connected to the puzzling disappearance of two University of South Florida graduate students was taken into custody on Friday after barricading himself in a Tampa house, according to officials.
A SWAT team equipped with assault rifles responded to the scene in the Lake Forest neighborhood just after 10 a.m. Friday, not far—about a mile—from the USF Tampa campus, as reported by WTSP.
This operation was linked to the unexpected disappearance of Zamir Rimon and Nahida Bristi, both 27 years old, shortly after authorities classified them as “endangered,” although they did not disclose further information.
The standoff came to an “end” approximately two hours later, with one individual taken into custody. WTSP noted that the person apprehended was not one of the missing students.
Details surrounding the case remained sparse, leaving questions about how this individual was associated with Rimon and Bristi a week following their disappearance.
The sheriff’s office indicated that more information would be made available soon.
Rimon and Bristi, believed to be in a relationship, were last seen in Tampa on the morning of April 16. Police revealed that Rimon, a doctoral student in geography, environmental science, and policy, was seen at his home around 9 a.m.
Bristi, who was studying chemical engineering, vanished about an hour later, last seen in the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on campus.
A friend reported Rimon missing after he was unreachable, and it was stated that both students had their cell phones turned off.
They were thought to be together and had recently had discussions about marriage. “Everyone is really worried, as are we. This is not like them,” commented Larry McKinnon, a safety spokesman for U.S. Forces Japan. He added that there was currently no evidence of wrongdoing or suspicious activity.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
