SMU police chief calls sexual assault on campus “very unusual”

by Ashley Stainton of The Daily Campus

SMU police are looking for the suspect.

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

The assault took place on the SMU campus. This is a picture from the view of Dallas Hall, taken in 2007.

DALLAS — SMU has issued a sexual assault report after a student was sexually assaulted on campus Monday night.

The attack happened at 9:10 p.m. near the north entrance of the Carr Collins building, located in the Law Quad, near the 3300 block of Daniel Street.

The victim was said to have been grabbed from behind and forced into an area where she was assaulted. She was later taken to the hospital for medical care and a rape exam.

SMU Police Chief Richard Shafer told The Dallas Morning News, “I’ve been here 13 years and I don’t recall anything similar to this when someone is grabbed and pushed into the bushes. It’s very unusual circumstances how this occurred.”

SMU Police are actively seeking the suspect. He is described as a white male, wearing a dark hoodie, dark jeans and colored tennis shoes according to officials. He is also reported to have a low, raspy voice.

In response to the event, SMU police have heightened patrolling efforts and plan to put fliers around campus. Additionally, SMU students and staff were sent an email alert after the attack.