NEW BRUNSWICK — A Rutgers University professor who was brutally stabbed in a gruesome on-campus attack nearly three weeks ago is still fighting for his life at the same hospital where his accused attacker is being treated.

Former Rutgers student Joshua S. Thompson, 25, of Middletown, was charged with stabbing the professor and a student on the afternoon of Nov. 4 at the university's business school in Piscataway.

Thompson — who previously had a bizarre run-in with police when he was a student at West Virginia University in 2011 — slit his own throat before he was taken into custody.

It is not clear what prompted the violence.

Thompson has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey.

Two people remain hospitalized at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick in fair condition, according to hospital spokeswoman Zenaida Mendez.

Authorities have not identified the victims, but the faculty member and the accused assailant remain in the hospital, according to a source with knowledge of the case.

Carey has not revealed a motive for the incident or the relationship between Thompson, the professor and the student, who has been released from the hospital.

Thompson was also involved in an altercation at West Virginia University in January 2011 when he was a student there.

Capt. Rick Jackson, assistant director of WVU police, said officers were called to a dorm for the smell of controlled substance. Thompson was described by Jackson as acting "belligerent" and wouldn’t comply with the officer, according to college police records.

Thompson was arrested for possession of a small amount of marijuana, disorderly conduct and underage consumption of alcohol. Jackson said that during the incident Thompson did not approach or threaten anyone.

Jackson said there was a plea bargain and he paid $70 restitution.

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