Officials "cannot say there's no threat to the community" as search for quadruple homicide suspect continues

MOSCOW, Idaho — For the first time since four University of Idaho students were found fatally stabbed in a home near campus Sunday, law enforcement officials addressed the public in a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Officials still have no suspect in custody and walked back previous statements about community safety, now saying they cannot ensure there is no threat to the public.

Investigators are now being assisted by the FBI and say there was no weapon found at the crime scene and there was no sign of forced entry. Moscow Police Chief James Fry said the door was open was officers arrived around noon responding to a call of an unconscious person.

“Investigators are working to follow up on all the leads and identify a person of interest,” Chief Fry said. “We do not have a suspect at this time, and that individual is still out there. We cannot say that there is no threat to the community."

RELATED: Latah County coroner describes the scene of the quadruple homicide in Moscow

We also learned at the Wednesday press conference, that two other female students who live at the residence were home at the time of the attack and uninjured. Officials said there was not a hostage situation but did not say if the students witnessed the attack.

Fry urged students and residents to remain vigilant and alert and asked residents to report any tips to law enforcement as they work to recreate a timeline of the victims' whereabouts Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

Some of the victims' family members have been urging police to release more information about the killings and to reveal why they said there was no ongoing danger.

Boise State University will hold a candlelight vigil Thursday, in honor of four University of Idaho victims and the Moscow community.