A new art piece honoring a UC Davis student killed last year at a park amid a series of stabbings will be unveiled next month, the city of Davis said Wednesday.
Karim Abou Najm, 20, peddled home from university when he was stabbed multiple times April 29, 2023 at Sycamore Park, just weeks away from graduating. The computer science major — and aspiring software engineer — was the last victim wounded after another man was killed and a woman was severely injured.
A stainless steel and colored dichroic glass structure, created by Illinois-based artist Nicole Beck, stands watch over where Abou Najm took his last breath. Light reflecting from the piece will change colors depending on the viewer’s position and sunlight, the city said in a news release.
It’s named “Fiat Lux,” which translates to “Let there be light” in Latin.
“The artwork embodies the qualities that made Karim an exceptional human and the kindness, innovation, creativity and warmth within the Davis community,” the release said.
Beck shared images of the art earlier this month on social media.
The city of Davis will reveal the completed art piece Nov. 22 at Sycamore Park, 1313 Sycamore Lane.
If rain falls that day, residents are asked to join the ceremony at a multipurpose room in Robert E. Willett Elementary School, 1207 Sycamore Lane.
City officials renamed a bike path winding through Sycamore Park on the anniversary of Abou Najm’s death earlier this year and unveiled a bench bearing his name.
One day before Abou Najm died, David Breaux was stabbed to death at a corner in downtown Davis where he often stood and asked residents their definition of the word “compassion.”
Kimberlee Guillory, the third and final victim, was stabbed sleeping in her tent May 1, 2023. She survived her injuries.
A former UC Davis student, Carlos Reales Dominguez, was arrested in connection to the three stabbings and has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in Yolo Superior Court. His trial is scheduled for April.
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