Student arrested for aggravated battery involving 13-inch knife

Xia Li, a 29-year-old international student, was arrested Monday on charges of aggravated battery involving a weapon, simple battery, burglary and armed burglary after  holding a 13-inch knife to his roommate's neck after a “disagreement relating to the cooking of food,” a University Police (UP) media release stated.

Li, according to the release, entered 23-year-old student Cheng Cheng Mou’s dorm room in Holly E, struck him, left and returned with a 13-kitchen knife, which he held to Mou, causing a “minor abrasion” and “minor injury.”

Both students are international, Lt. Chris Daniel of UP said.

Daniel said while USF Housing does have some policies in place regarding what can be kept in the dorms, the knife was a kitchen knife and would likely be allowed.

Li was being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bail.