Former Surrey student arrested after crossbow shooting at university village

A 21-year-old former University of Surrey student was arrested after a man in his 50s was shot with a crossbow at Manor Park Student Village in Guildford and left in a serious condition.

Surrey Police said officers were called at about 10:00 BST on Thursday, 4 June 2026, to the campus accommodation site, which sits within the University of Surrey estate and is about a 20-minute walk from the Stag Hill campus. The suspect, reported to be a Saudi national, was detained on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.

The victim was taken to hospital after the shooting, and police said his next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen said investigators are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and are working closely with the university as the case progresses. Surrey Police also appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

A significant emergency services presence remained at the scene through the morning, while access to Royal Surrey County Hospital was reported as unaffected. The incident took place in Manor Park Student Village, a residential part of the university’s accommodation estate, as students continued to live and move around the area.

The shooting has also renewed attention on the legal position of crossbows in the UK. Under the Crossbows Act 1987, it is an offence to sell or let a crossbow to anyone under 18, or for under-18s to buy, hire or possess one. A House of Commons Library briefing says adults are not required to register crossbows under current law, although the UK government said in 2026 that it will introduce further restrictions through a licensing scheme for existing owners.