In a shocking incident that has rocked the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) community, authorities have charged 34-year-old Alejandro Iniestra with the murder of his 22-year-old roommate, Spencer Timms. The fatal stabbing occurred early Saturday morning, October 4, 2025, in an off-campus apartment, leaving one man dead and another injured. Police responded to the scene around 10:40 a.m. in the 1300 block of Temple Avenue, where they encountered a scene of violence among three roommates.
Timms, a promising industrial design student, succumbed to multiple stab wounds to the chest at the location, while the surviving roommate, a 29-year-old man whose identity has not been disclosed, was hospitalized in stable condition with upper body injuries. The Long Beach Police Department arrested Iniestra at the apartment without incident shortly after arriving. He faces charges of murder in Timms’ death, attempted murder for the attack on the other roommate, and special allegations for the use of a deadly weapon—a knife—in both counts.
Bail was set at $2 million, and Iniestra remains in custody at the Long Beach City Jail as the investigation continues. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive for the attack, describing it as a swift and brutal assault that targeted both victims in quick succession. Homicide detectives are piecing together the events leading up to the violence, including any prior interactions among the roommates, but no further details on potential disputes or triggers have been released.
This tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities that can arise in shared living situations, particularly for college students navigating independence far from family support. As the CSULB campus grapples with the loss, questions linger about how such an ordinary arrangement—three unrelated men sharing an apartment near a bustling university district—descended into deadly chaos. The incident has prompted renewed discussions on campus safety resources and the importance of conflict resolution in roommate dynamics. Police urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even small details could clarify the circumstances.
The Incident Unfolds: A Morning of Unimaginable Violence
The stabbing took place in a quiet residential area just blocks from CSULB’s main campus, in a neighborhood popular among students for its proximity to classes and affordable housing options. According to the police timeline, the altercation began inside the apartment shared by Timms, Iniestra, and the third roommate. Witnesses in the vicinity reported hearing shouts and cries for help around 10:30 a.m., prompting a 911 call that dispatched officers within minutes.
Upon arrival, first responders found Timms unresponsive on the floor with severe chest wounds, while the surviving roommate clutched his own injuries and provided a preliminary account to paramedics. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed Timms’ cause of death as multiple sharp-force injuries penetrating vital organs, ruling the manner as homicide. The surviving victim underwent surgery for non-life-threatening stab wounds to the upper torso and was released from the hospital within days, though he has not spoken publicly.
Investigators believe Iniestra initiated the attack on one roommate before turning the knife on the other, suggesting a targeted outburst rather than a random intrusion. The weapon, described as a common kitchen knife, was recovered at the scene along with signs of a struggle, including overturned furniture and blood evidence throughout the living area. Forensic teams spent hours processing the apartment, collecting DNA samples and digital records from the roommates’ devices to reconstruct the morning’s events. No signs of forced entry were noted, reinforcing that this was an internal conflict.
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Long Beach Police Chief Wally Earl addressed the media briefly on October 7, stating, “This was a domestic-related stabbing involving roommates, and our detectives are working tirelessly to understand what precipitated such a tragic outcome.” The department has classified the case as active, with no indications of broader threats to the community. However, the proximity to campus—less than a mile from CSULB’s Walter Pyramid athletic facility—has heightened concerns among residents and students in the area.
Victim Profile: Remembering Spencer Timms, a Rising Star in Design
Spencer Timms was more than a statistic in this grim news cycle; he was a dedicated senior at CSULB’s College of the Arts, majoring in industrial design with a flawless 4.0 GPA. Originally from Orange County, Timms transferred to CSULB from Saddleback College two years prior, drawn by the program’s reputation for fostering innovative thinkers. Faculty described him as an “incredibly positive and impactful student” whose portfolio brimmed with creative fire—projects blending sustainable materials with ergonomic functionality that showcased his passion for user-centered design.
Royce W. Smith, dean of the College of the Arts, sent an email to the Department of Design on October 8, sharing memories of meeting Timms during a departmental visit. “I clearly recall seeing and admiring the creative fire in him and his work,” Smith wrote, noting Timms’ enthusiasm for collaborative studio sessions and his role in mentoring younger peers. Classmates echoed these sentiments in informal campus gatherings, recalling Timms as the roommate who organized late-night brainstorming sessions over coffee, always quick with a sketch or prototype idea.
Beyond academics, Timms was an active participant in CSULB’s extracurricular scene, contributing to design club exhibitions and volunteering for local sustainability workshops. His family, reached by university counselors, described him as a “bright light” whose humor and determination inspired those around him. In a statement released October 9, CSULB spokesperson Jeffrey Cook said, “We are profoundly saddened by the loss of our student, Spencer Timms. We have been in touch with Spencer’s family and have been reaching out to and supporting his Beach classmates and faculty.”
The surviving roommate, aged 29 and employed locally, shared the apartment with Timms and Iniestra for several months, according to lease records obtained by investigators. Little is known about their daily interactions, but friends of Timms noted he often spoke fondly of the arrangement as a way to cut costs while focusing on his studies. Timms’ death leaves a void in the industrial design program, where he was set to graduate in spring 2026 with plans to pursue a career in product innovation for eco-friendly tech firms.
Legal Proceedings and Community Impact: Seeking Justice Amid Grief
Alejandro Iniestra’s arraignment is scheduled for October 15, 2025, at the Long Beach Superior Court, where prosecutors will outline the evidence supporting the murder and attempted murder charges. Court records indicate Iniestra has no prior criminal history in California, though background checks are ongoing for out-of-state records. The special allegations for knife use could elevate potential sentencing if convicted, facing life in prison without parole for the murder count alone.
Deputy District Attorney Maria Gonzalez has been assigned to the case, emphasizing in a filing that the “premeditated nature of the attacks demands swift accountability.” Defense attorneys have yet to enter a plea, but sources close to the matter suggest they may explore mental health factors, pending a court-ordered evaluation. Iniestra, a Long Beach resident employed in maintenance work, was cooperative during his arrest but has remained silent since booking.
The CSULB community has mobilized in response, with counseling services ramped up at the Student Health Services center and virtual support groups for design students. A candlelight vigil is planned for October 12 on the campus quad, where friends will share stories of Timms’ legacy. University President Jane Close Conoley issued a campus-wide alert on October 10, reminding students of resources like the 24/7 crisis hotline and roommate mediation programs through Residence Life.
Broader implications ripple through Long Beach, a city of 460,000 that has seen a 12% uptick in violent crimes year-over-year. Local advocates are calling for enhanced safety patrols in student-heavy districts and workshops on de-escalation for shared housing. As the investigation probes deeper—interviewing neighbors, reviewing security footage from nearby businesses, and analyzing the roommates’ communications—the hope is for closure that honors Timms’ memory.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of trust in close quarters. While justice unfolds, the focus remains on healing a community forever altered by one fateful morning.
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