Armed sexual assault, robbery; Marquette University police investigate
Armed sexual assault, robbery; MU police investigate
The Marquette University Police Department is investigating an armed sexual assault and robbery that occurred early Wednesday, Feb. 18.
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University Police Department is investigating an armed sexual assault and robbery that happened early Wednesday morning, Feb. 18.
Campus assault investigation
What we know:
It happened on 14th Street, between Kilbourn and State just north of the university campus, at around 2 a.m.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
Police said a suspect approached the female victim with a weapon, sexually assaulted her and took her property. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The armed suspect ran north on 14th Street away from the scene, according to police.
Suspect details
Dig deeper:
Police described the suspect as a male, 20-30 years old and Black. He was further described as around 6 feet tall with a slim build and shoulder-length locks or twists in his hair. He was wearing a tan hoodie, blue medical mask, black pants and black shoes.
On Wednesday evening, the MUPD provided additional suspect information, images and video. The video and images are from MUPD’s more than 1,200 security cameras located across campus.
MUPD is going door-to-door in the area of 14th and Kilbourn to ask residents if they saw the suspect.
Police said the victim was a female "affiliated with Marquette." No other information about the victim was provided.
Anyone with information is asked to call MUPD at 414-288-6800.
Safety concerns rise
Local perspective:
It’s an area where many students live. The incident has heightened concerns about safety near campus.
"It's definitely really scary," said Avery Portell, a Marquette student. "There was a robbery that I witnessed, like a month ago."
"It makes me scared to leave my apartment sometimes or walk home whenever I'm out with friends," said Abril Cervantes, another student. "Just a lot of robberies, armed, unarmed."
Cervantes said this case feels more alarming.
"Obviously the robberies are horrible, but for it to be escalating to that point is definitely just even more scary," said Cervantes.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Students said they would like to see more preventative measures.
"I do appreciate the resources that Marquette does offer for us, but I also just think that I think a lot of people would just be more happy if we just saw a lot more police presence around campus," said Cervantes.
In the meantime, students said they are walking in pairs and urging classmates to stay alert.
University offers support
What you can do:
The university said it is offering resources and support to the victim and the campus community. Marquette police said additional officers are on duty in the area.
Resources for students and safety reminders from MUPD can be found on the university's website.
Featured
Wisconsin's Most Wanted: Anthony Schaap on the run ahead of sentencing
U.S. Marshals are on the hunt for a Milwaukee man accused of seriously injuring his crying infant. Investigators say rather than comforting the 3-month-old, he became abusive.
The Source: FOX6 News referenced information from the Marquette University Police Department and talked with university students.