WSU student on the run

PULLMAN –– An arrest warrant for failing to appear in court has been issued for the Washington State University (WSU) student accused of threatening students on campus with a knife.

Taylor Asante failed to appear at his last two hearings in Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax. Asante’s failure to attend court has prompted authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest.

WSU Police arrested Asante Sunday, October 1, 2023, for allegedly threatening and chasing students with a knife inside a dorm hall.

Asante is charged with two counts of felony harassment with threats to kill and a misdemeanor for unlawful display of a weapon. Asante has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Asante is still listed as a student on the WSU website.

Brady Gasseling, 18, reportedly told the responding Pullman Officer, Brandon Cochran, that a male ran past his room screaming he was “strapped with a gun” and was yelling, “Come back here.”

“When I arrived at the front of Rogers Hall, several people were running out of the front of the building yelling about almost being killed by someone with a knife,” said Cochran.

Reports say that Gasseling, Erick J. Santiago, 18, and Dylan Hawkings, 19, identified Asante. “Gasseling, Santiago, and Hawkings appeared to be scared and believed that Asante had almost killed them and was going to kill them,” reported Cochran.

Reports say that Asante fled the dormitory but was later located at a secondary dorm room at #80 McEachern Hall, roughly 100 yards up from Rogers Hall.

Officers identified Asante based on the descriptions provided by Gasseling, Santiago, and Hawkings.

Author Bio

Olivia Harnack, Editorial Reporter

Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.

• Email: editor@wcgazette.com