Man Found Floating On FIU's Biscayne Campus

NORTH MIAMI, FL — The body of a man was found floating in a lake at Florida International University's Biscayne Bay Campus early Tuesday and students were warned to expect a heightened police presence.

"At this time we have no information that leads us to believe the deceased person is a member of the university community and there is no known potential of any threat to FIU or the FIU/MAST @ BBC community," school officials said on social media.

The man was identified on Wednesday as 30-year-old Otniel Jean of Sunrise, Florida. Miami-Dade police opened an investigation, but did not immediately classify it as a homicide investigation.

"Miami-Dade police are conducting their investigation which will lead to heightened police activity on campus throughout the day," school officials warned on Tuesday.

Miami-Dade police said the body was discovered around 8:05 a.m. by a passerby who alerted a Florida International University police officer. The officer pulled the body out of the water and called Miami-Dade police.

Miami-Dade Detective Lee Cowart told Patch that the name of the victim was being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

"Preliminary investigation is that he is not an FIU student," said Cowart.

In September, police and university officials circulated a sketch of a young man suspected in a brutal attack on two high school students at the campus. Both students had to be hospitalized, including Local 10 "Eco Hero" Bela Perdomo, who had been featured by the ABC affiliate for an environmental project.

The Biscayne Bay Campus is located at 3000 NE 151 Street in North Miami.

To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 (305-471-TIPS), visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip information to 274637.