A personal safety alert was issued by Public Safety after a female student was attacked Monday night in the Central Avenue parking lot, and the suspect has yet to be apprehended.
The suspect approached the victim and offered to walk her to her car because he was concerned for her safety, the alert said. As the suspect was walking with the victim, he held a hard object against her back and told her not to scream, but to continue walking toward her car.
However, the victim managed to escape with only a minor injury.
The suspect was described as a black male in his early 20s. He is approximately 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 185 pounds. He has a very light complexion and short hair. He was wearing a khaki jacket (Tommy or Polo), khaki pants, black or brown casual shoes and had a large diamond-like earring in his left ear lobe.
If you see someone matching this description, public safety officials ask that you keep a safe distance and call University police at 678-4357. Stay on the telephone to direct officers to the location.
The intent of the suspect is still unknown, but the department of public safety on campus has set up patrols and the Memphis Police Department has been notified. Personal Safety Alerts have also been posted in many of the buildings on campus, said Bruce Harber, associate director of Public Safety at The U of M.
Harber said while not all crimes such as this can be prevented, there are many precautions students and faculty can take to better avoid them.
"If you have to walk at night, then walk in groups, in pairs or with classmates," Harber said. "Be alert of your surroundings and try to stay in well-lit areas."
Students may contact the Tiger Patrol at 678-HOME(4663) for an escort to a class or car.
