The University Department of Public Safety issued a campus crime alert Saturday announcing that three University students were physically and verbally harassed early Saturday morning while walking on East 13th Avenue toward the EMU.
At 2:15 a.m., two unidentified males riding BMX-type bicycles approached three students and verbally harassed them, DPS reported.
During the confrontation, one of the males struck one of the students, victims told officers.
After the suspects began to leave the scene, one of the men returned to the three students and drew what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun from his pants, DPS said in the alert it issued to University students and staff.
DPS and EPD responded to the scene and unsuccessfully searched the surrounding area for the suspects.
“DPS and EPD are working together on this and taking it very seriously,” said University spokesperson and DPS Media Relations Director Julie Brown. “Whenever incidents like this happen, it is of great concern.”
One of the suspects was described as a white male in his early twenties, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a thin build and a blond buzz cut. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt, baggy blue jeans and white shoes and was riding a black BMX-style bicycle.
The second suspect was described as a white male in his early twenties standing about six feet tall with a thin build and short hair. He wore a gray hooded sweatshirt and was wearing baggy blue jeans. He was riding an orange BMX-style bicycle.
The DPS distributed a campus crime alert via e-mail to all students, staff and faculty Saturday afternoon. In addition, Brown said, the alert was posted on the DPS Web site, and fliers will be made and posted around campus.
Authorities are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact DPS at 346-2919.
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