Georgetown University

Public Safety Alert: Bias Related Assault on Canal Road

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at approximately 5:44 p.m., a student reported to DPS that she had been assaulted on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. The complainant reported that while she was walking on Canal Road in the area adjacent to the entrance to campus, two unknown males began insulting her with derogatory comments based on her perceived sexual orientation. The complainant reported that she was wearing a shirt with a logo indicating support for gay rights.

The suspects would not allow the complainant to pass by, then took her book bag and taunted her. They hit her on her upper torso, pushed her to the pavement, and struck her with the book bag. The suspects left the scene heading west on Canal Road towards Foxhall Road.

DPS notifed MPD who responded to campus and has taken charge of the investigation.

Note: The classification of this incident was changed from "hate or bias incident" to "other crime with bodily injury/hate crime" on Friday, November 6 at 5:00 p.m.

The Department of Public Safety is requesting that anyone who has information regarding this or any other incident(s), or who noticed any suspects before or after the incident(s), to contact them immediately at (202) 687-4343.

Incident

Date: October 27, 2009

Time: 9:10 PM

Location: Non-campus, West Georgetown

Address: Canal Road, adjacent to campus entrance

Incident type: Other Crime with Bodily Injury/Hate Crime

Respondents: MPD

Incident summary: On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at approximately 9:10 p.m., a student was assaulted on Canal Road near the entrance to campus. The suspects made derogatory comments regarding her perceived sexual orientation.

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at approximately 5:44 p.m., a student reported to DPS that she had been assaulted on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. The complainant reported that while she was walking on Canal Road in the area adjacent to the entrance to campus, two unknown males began insulting her with derogatory comments based on her perceived sexual orientation. The complainant reported that she was wearing a shirt with a logo indicating support for gay rights.

The suspects would not allow the complainant to pass by, then took her book bag and taunted her. They hit her on her upper torso, pushed her to the pavement, and struck her with the book bag. The suspects left the scene heading west on Canal Road towards Foxhall Road.

DPS notifed MPD who responded to campus and has taken charge of the investigation.

Note: The classification of this incident was changed from "hate or bias incident" to "other crime with bodily injury/hate crime" on Friday, November 6 at 5:00 p.m.

Victim(s):The complainant sustained minor injuries but did not need medical attention.

Victim(s) status:The complainant was referred to University resources in relation to this incident.

Witness description of suspect(s):The suspects are described as two white males in their late twenties, 6' tall, and 170 lbs. One suspect was wearing blue jeans, a blue jacket, white shirt, and a New York Yankees baseball cap. The second suspect was wearing blue jeans, a brown jacket, a dark blue shirt, and a baseball cap.

Safety Reminder

The Department of Public Safety would like to remind all students to practice the following security measures:

  1. On campus students should call DPS at 202-687-4343 regarding any safety concerns.

  2. Off campus students with immediate safety concerns should call MPD at 911 and DPS at 687-HELP.

  3. Practice security at home by not propping doors open, always keeping doors and windows locked, even when you are in residence, and not opening the door to strangers.

  4. Students noticing suspicious activities or individuals loitering around entrances to residence halls, apartments, or townhouses should immediately notify DPS at 202-687-4343.

  5. Students may utilize the services of THE SHUTTLE or DPS SAFERIDES escorts as a means of providing safe passage off-campus. Call 784-RIDE for DPS SAFERIDES escorts.

Georgetown University's Department of Public Safety (DPS) notifies the campus community when crimes are reported to DPS or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) which the University believes represent a threat to its students or employees, in a manner consistent with the Campus Security Act. The University uses its best efforts to provide information that is both accurate and helpful, but community members should recognize that the University is able to relay information only as it is reported to DPS and/or MPD.