University of Memphis campus police officer John Hudgens received a call from a 19-year-old female student just after 2 p.m. on Monday. The student said she received a text message with a video of a man pointing multiple weapons at two women. One of the guns was a Ruger 556 semi-automatic rifle. This is a photo of the same make and model.
Two students were robbed at gunpoint on campus last week and a man was arrested Monday for bringing guns onto campus property.
These incidents have brought up issues of how to be safe while walking around campus.
A 24-year-old student and his 22-year-old friend who were playing a cellphone game were robbed at gunpoint Feb. 17 after two robbers jumped out of a black SUV headed north on State Street.Â
The suspects, unidentified black men in their early 20s, demanded the victims’ personal belongings, according to a campus police report. After obtaining a wallet and two cell phones, the suspects got back into the vehicle and took off toward Central Avenue.
A few days later, University of Memphis campus police officer John Hudgens received a call from a 19-year-old female student just after 2 p.m. on Monday. The student said she received a text message with a video of a man pointing multiple weapons at two females – one of whom was recording the video, the campus police report said.Â
When officers arrived to the Carpenter Apartment at 3860 Tiger Paw South, they discovered a loaded Ruger 556 semi-automatic rifle and a Smith and Wesson nine-millimeter pistol. The two females in the video were not present when officers arrived. The male suspect, a guest of one of the female residents in the video, was arrested.
Students should possess a heightened awareness of their surroundings, Germantown Police Department officer Angie Blankenship said.
“Each situation is dictated by time and place,†the officer said. “For example, if you know you’re going to be on campus after dark, make arrangements to walk with a friend.â€
Blankenship suggests parking and walking only in lit areas, having your keys ready and exhibiting a little bit of common sense.
“You should always know what you should or should not be doing,†Blankenship said. “If you feel you are in a situation where something dangerous could occur, then take precaution.â€
It is important to know the proper protocol in case one is confronted or feels threatened, Blankenship said.
Tiger Escort – a personal escort service staffed by U of M students and police officers – is available from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. Students can call 901-678-4663, and a representative will arrive by foot or golf cart.
Interim chief of police for campus police services Ray Craft urges students to take advantage of Tiger Escort. As long as students are on campus, they can receive help.
“Tiger Escort does not cross the railroad tracks with the golf carts,†Craft said. “If someone wants an escort across the tracks, they will park the golf cart just north of Walker Avenue, and the escort will walk. The escorts are not allowed to cross Patterson Avenue unless they are going to Centennial Place.â€
Tiger Escort also services the areas around the Holiday Inn, the Central parking lot and Carpenter’s Complex. They cover the entire campus, Craft said.
“I would advise students to stay alert – cell phones are a huge distraction – walk in groups if possible, stay in well lighted areas, utilize Tiger Escort and call police services for any suspicious activity,†Craft said.
Campus police encourages students to utilize emergency phones scattered throughout campus and have the number to campus police, 901-678-3848 for non-emergencies and 901-678-HELP for emergencies, and Tiger Escort saved on speed dial.
