Homeless Man Charged In Gruesome Murder Of UM Student

CORAL GABLES, FL — A 28-year-old homeless man was charged late Wednesday with first-degree murder in connection with the gruesome slaying of University of Miami student Yasser Talal Ibrahim Abualfaraj. The 23-year-old was found stabbed more than 60 times at his Coral Gables apartment earlier this month in the 6500 block of Santona Street, according to court documents.

“The investigation led to the identity of Robert Wayne Gore,” explained Detective Alvaro Zabaleta on Wednesday night. “Investigators located Robert Gore in the area of SW 200 Street and South Dixie Highway.”

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Zabaleta said that Gore was also charged with armed burglary. He was arrested at a Mobil gas station in Cutler Bay.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office determined that the student died of multiple stab wounds.

Court documents said that Gore provided a video confession after being given his rights. He allegedly entered the apartment through an unlocked door.

"The defendant armed himself with multiple sharp weapons while inside the victim's apartment," court documents said. "The defendant stabbed the victim with multiple sharp-force instruments over 60 times."

Gore allegedly fled the apartment on foot with several items taken from the apartment.

A third-year architecture student from Saudi Arabia, Abualfaraj's body was found by his roommate. He died at approximately 3:49 p.m. on Oct. 7.

The University of Miami community gathered outside the architecture school in the days following the slaying to remember Abualfaraj as police looked for leads in his murder.

A university spokesperson told Patch earlier that the university was "deeply saddened by this tragic news" of the slaying. Officials have made grief counselors and support staff available to the UM community through the Counseling Center. For more information, call 305-284-5511. University chaplains are also available through the Dean of Students Office.

Miami-Dade homicide detectives are requesting that anyone with information on the case contact Detective B. Jurado at 305-471-2400. Alternatively, contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477; Visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select “Give a Tip” or text "CSMD" followed by the tip information to 274637.

Robert Wayne Gore photo courtesy Miami-Dade Police Department