An individual died by suicide falling from the North Garage on 10th and San Fernando streets, at around 2:15 p.m. on Monday.
Frank Belcastro, San Jose State UPD Captain, confirmed that the individual took their own life.
The individual “was not a faculty member, staff member or a currently enrolled SJSU student,” wrote Charlie Faas, vice president for administration and finance, in a campuswide email Monday.
“Our common humanity means that we feel this tragedy acutely, and it also serves to remind us of the importance of community and being open to asking for and accepting help,” Faas wrote.
Belcastro said there was no criminal activity or threat to campus following the events.
AlertSJSU notified the campus community that the North Garage was closed for police activity in the afternoon. After the garage was reopened, 10th Street between San Fernando and Santa Clara Streets remained closed to traffic.
Belcastro said students already inside the garage after its closure were free to leave, but some of them were questioned by UPD as potential witnesses.
Associated Students President Nina Chuang said she was in the middle of an Academic Senate meeting when she found out about what happened at the North Garage.
“Something like this, it’s just shocking. Literally, in the senate meeting today, I tried not to cry,” she said.
Chuang said she sends her condolences to the family, people affected and to the commuter students who use the garage.
“I think it’s important for us as a community to really band together and support one another during this time,” she said. “My hope is that for any really saddening event like this, that [students] don’t lose hope on their future – they don’t lose hope on who they are as individuals – and to know that our San Jose State community is trying its best and it's doing its best to really support them.”
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call or text 988 or chat at its website.
SJSU’s Counseling and Psychological Services provides confidential online and limited in-person services relating to stress, depression, anxiety or relationship problems.
