Campus police are seeking information and anonymous tips to help identify suspects involved in an alleged physical assault that occurred early Sunday morning near the university Art Building.
The assault left a 23-year-old male HSU student with bruises and abrasions inflicted after an attack by an unidentified male. No weapons were reported involved.
According to the UPD, the student reported he had been walking alone on campus on Laurel Drive near the Art-Music fire lane at about 2:30 a.m. to store an art project he had been working on. The building was locked at the time.
The student told UPD he became aware of a group of four or five males loitering at the south end of the Art-Music fire lane, which serves as a walkway from Laurel Drive to the University Quad. These males called out to the survivor, who said he tried to ignore them.
As the student continued his attempt to enter the building, one of the males allegedly tackled him from behind. He was knocked to the ground and the assailant struck him in the face and head multiple times. The assailant reportedly said something similar to “I hate hippies” during the assault.
“This is not a common crime on our campus,” said UPD Chief Tom Dewey. “This is the first reported incident of this type at HSU this academic year. However, the university is making every effort to identify the suspects, to complete the investigation of this assault and to seek criminal charges against anyone who acted in a violent manner.”
The assailant and his companions apparently ran north through the fire lane and the University Quad area, toward the Redwood-Sunset residence halls, followed by the survivor. At about this time, a patrolling UPD car car was flagged down by a concerned passerby. Three UPD officers immediately began a search for the involved parties.
The four or five males were described as white males between the ages of 19 and 21.
The survivor lost sight of the males and began to walk home. A UPD patrol sergeant located him on B Street and sought to interview him, but he declined to make a formal report at that time and did not require hospitalization. He was given a ride home and the investigation was left open on Sunday.
Dewey urged all members of the community to use caution, remain aware of their surroundings and report suspicious people or activities on campus. The campus is equipped with more than 60 free public assistance “blue light” telephones that allow instant emergency communication with UPD’s 24-hour dispatcher by dialing 9-1-1 or pushing the “help” button.
UPD can be reached at 826-5555 or by email at hsupd@humboldt.edu and information will be accepted anonymously.
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