Bellevue College became a crime scene Tuesday morning after an 18-year-old female student was reportedly raped at knifepoint inside a campus bathroom. The Bellevue Police Department is now on a manhunt for a white male suspect in his 20s, described as clean-shaven with brown hair, wearing a hoodie, and potentially armed with a knife, KOMO News reports.
The attack took place at approximately 8:50 a.m. in a first-floor restroom inside the L Building, according to authorities. In the wake of the assault, Bellevue College issued an emergency alert that read, "A sexual assault was reported on campus in the L Building." The school urged, "Please safely leave campus." Following the incident, the campus was promptly closed, WPDE has detailed.
Officials at the Bellevue Police Department have urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the apprehension of the individual responsible. "Police are on site and have requested a campus closure," the college's notification further clarified, signaling the gravity of the situation and the ongoing investigation.
Seth Tyler of the Bellevue Police Department provided details stating, "the victim reported she went into the women’s restroom and a man was inside with a knife." There are plans to release an image of the suspect to aid in his capture, the BPD has announced, aiming to leverage community assistance in locating the assailant, KATU confirmed in their coverage of the harrowing event.
The Bellevue Police Department has requested that anyone with relevant information contact 911 immediately. This cautionary tale serves as a stark reminder, of the ever-present threat of violence that lurks, even in spaces deemed safe like college campuses. The college administration and law enforcement are working in tandem to heighten security measures and provide support to the college community shaken by this incident.
