UIPD investigating after man assaulted near campus
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The University of Illinois Police Department is seeking more information on an aggravated assault incident that took place in the campus area.
At 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, three people got out of a car and ran at someone walking near Fourth and Green Streets in Champaign. Near Fifth Street, two more offenders joined the chase. They eventually caught up to the victim, beat him up, then fled.
The victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be okay, UIPD said. They also noted that he is not affiliated with the university. However, U of I students are still feeling a little uneasy after a Campus Safety Notice was sent out about the situation.
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“I can’t really believe it because, you know, us university students, we want to feel safe on campus. And just to hear that something happens to someone like that and so sudden, it just really surprises me. And honestly, it kind of makes me feel a little unsafe here,” student Mitchell Dahlstrom said.
Whether you are a community member or U of I student, the UIPD is asking the public to stay together, be alert, and immediately report crime or suspicious activity.
“I think something like this should be the motivation for people to start really taking safety precautions and to measure walking in groups, practicing self-defense,” said another student, Mitchell Leshchiner. “It can be of that nature, it doesn’t have to be that specifically. But I think it really should be kind of a stepping stone to changing, maybe, people’s mindsets about college and college campuses.”
U of I Police continue to investigate while patrolling the area. In addition to officer presence, more than 2,400 campus security cameras are also surveilling nearby activity.
The UIPD is still accepting help from the public, as well. Anyone with further details on this situation are asked to call them at 217-333-1216. Completely anonymous tips may also be made through Crime Stoppers by phone at 217-373-8477, online at 373tips.com, or by submitting through the “P3 Tips” mobile app on iOS or Android.
For more tips and resources, see the full Campus Safety Notice. To keep up with any campus-area crimes, view the UIPD’s daily crime log.
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