On the fateful night of November 13, 2022, a horrific event unfolded near the campus of the University of Idaho, resulting in the tragic deaths of four students. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the urgent need for safety and awareness in campus environments. New court documents released on Thursday shed light on the chaotic moments leading up to this tragedy, particularly focusing on the experiences of two surviving roommates.
As the night progressed, two roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, began exchanging frantic text messages after Mortensen reported seeing a masked figure moving through the house. “What’s going on?” Mortensen texted her friend, who was located upstairs. Unfortunately, the friend did not respond, but Funke, who was downstairs, managed to be in touch with Mortensen. “I’m freaking out,” Mortensen expressed in a text, revealing the escalating tension and fear of the situation.
The two roommates, who ultimately became the only survivors of this tragic stabbing spree, were communicating back and forth just before 4:30 a.m. Mortensen had just witnessed the masked man walking in the hallway outside her bedroom door, which prompted her urgent outreach. These text exchanges provide crucial insights into the confusion and terror experienced by Mortensen and Funke during those critical moments.
Mortensen attempted to reach out to the other roommates around 4:30 a.m., but her calls and texts went unanswered. Alarmingly, no one in the household called 911 until more than seven hours later, highlighting significant lapses in emergency response that could have potentially altered the outcome of the night.
In her messages, Mortensen described the masked figure as wearing something resembling a “ski mask.” This chilling observation underscores the fear that enveloped the house. Funke encouraged Mortensen to come downstairs, urging her to “run” to her room for safety. “It’s better than being alone,” Funke texted, emphasizing the instinctive need for companionship during a crisis.
The tragic events of that night at the University of Idaho serve as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of violence and the importance of being vigilant in our surroundings. The heart-wrenching experiences of Mortensen and Funke are now part of a broader narrative that calls for enhanced safety measures in university settings. As the community continues to process this devastating loss, discussions around campus safety and emergency protocols have become more critical than ever.
