Vanderbilt Student Killed in Stabbing Attack in Israel, University Chancellor Says in Message to School

The attack occurred in Jaffa, a city just south of Tel Aviv.

ByABC News
March 8, 2016, 6:54 PM

— -- A Vanderbilt University student was killed in a stabbing attack in Israel today while on a trip there through the school, according to a message the Chancellor of Vanderbilt sent to students, faculty and staff.

Taylor Force, who studied at Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management, died in the attack, Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos said in the message. The trip to Israel was through the Owen School, Zeppos said.

All other Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff on the trip are safe, Zeppos said.

"Taylor embarked on this trip to expand his understanding of global entrepreneurship and also to share his insights and knowledge with start-ups in Israel," Zeppos said. "He exemplified the spirit of discovery, learning and service that is the hallmark of our wonderful Owen community."

"This horrific act of violence has robbed our Vanderbilt family of a young hopeful life and all of the bright promise that he held for bettering our greater world," Zeppos said.

Zeppos extended sympathy to Force's family and friends, adding that, "In light of this loss, we as a community can look to find strength by continuing our commitment to build and nurture an educational environment whose foundational mission is to expand world peace and enlightenment."

The attack occurred in Jaffa, a city just south of Tel Aviv.

Israeli police say the attack was carried out by a Palestinian from the West Bank. Video shows the attacker running up a main street against traffic, frantically stabbing as he ran.

The attacker was shot and killed, Israeli Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld tweeted. A knife allegedly used by the attacker was recovered, Rosenfeld wrote.

The Israeli police said ten people were hospitalized.

A senior State Department official said it was aware of the report that an American citizen had been killed and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv was working to obtain more information.

Vice President Joe Biden, who is visiting Israel, said in a statement that the "brutal attack" occurred while he was in Tel Aviv meeting with former Israeli President Shimon Peres.

"There is no justification for such acts of terror," Biden's statement said.

The statement said Biden "expressed his sorrow at the tragic loss of American life and offered his condolences to the family of the American citizen murdered in the attack, as well as his wishes for a full and quick recovery for the wounded."

There were three attacks during the day before the deadly stabbing tonight.

This morning, a Palestinian woman allegedly drew a knife in Jerusalem's Old City and was shot and killed, Israeli police said. No one was injured.

In the afternoon, on a busy street in Occupied East Jerusalem, a Palestinian attacker allegedly shot two policemen. Both policemen were injured and hospitalized. The attacker was shot and killed, Israeli police said.

Then was an attempted stabbing in Petah Tikva near Jerusalem. The Palestinian attacker was shot and killed, and an Israeli was wounded, Israeli police said.

ABC News' Molly Hunter contributed to this report.