Cops Probe Cornell Brawl That Killed Business Major From Brooklyn

Anthony Nazaire's cousin, Channelle Nazaire, told NBC New York he was an honors student and had a full ride to Ithaca

What to Know

  • Anthony Nazaire, 19, an Ithaca College student from Brooklyn, was stabbed to death during a brawl on the Cornell University campus
  • A second student was stabbed during the fight and survived
  • Ithaca police are examining video taken by onlookers' cellphones in an attempt to identify those involved in the fight

Police investigating a brawl on the campus of Cornell University that left an Ithaca College student dead and another Ithaca student injured are asking witnesses with cellphone video of the fight to come forward. 

The students were stabbed around 2 a.m. Sunday during a large fight after several hundred college-age people attended a student-organized event at the Cornell student union, authorities said. 

Officials identified the slain student as Anthony Nazaire, a 19-year-old sophomore majoring in business administration from Brooklyn. 

His sister, Kiara Nazaire, said that the 19-year-old and a friend had accidentally bumped into the eventual assailants and were trying to walk away when both were stabbed.

"These cowards followed them and hit his friend," Kiara Nazaire said. "Anthony tried to help and he hit the floor."

Anthony Nazaire's cousin, Channelle Nazaire, told NBC 4 New York that he was an honors student and had a full scholarship. 

"He stood out a lot in our family," Channelle Nazaire said.

Ithaca College president Rom Rochon said that Anthony Nazaire graduated from Brooklyn Theatre Arts High School and was an executive board member of Brothers4Brothers, an Ithaca College student organization dedicated to empowering men of color on our campus. 

"I ask that you keep Anthony's family, the student who was injured, and their friends and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers," Rochon said. 

Police did not identify any suspects in the stabbing, which happened as people were leaving an event organized by the Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Cornell's Willard Straight Hall. They said they were interviewing witnesses and believe based on surveillance footage that some captured the killing on video.

Anthony Nazaire's godfather, Jacques Dorsainvil, told the newspaper he "was an intelligent man, polite with everyone. I don't get it, why this happened to us. Everybody knows he's a gift from God." 

His nephew, Khaleb Parris, said that the 19-year-old was "the best person in the universe."

"He always helps me with my homework," he said. "He loves me as much as anybody."

The other unidentified Ithaca student was treated at a hospital and released. 

Both schools said counseling would be available to students, faculty and staff. 

Rochon said a campuswide gathering is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at the school's chapel.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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