Chaos erupted on Arizona State University's Tempe campus as a man, now identified as 29-year-old Justin Avery, was arrested on suspicion of carrying out a series of assaults against women in broad daylight on April 11. The disturbing spree took place over roughly an hour, with Avery targeting women in public areas of the campus, including parking garages.
Avery, who is not affiliated with the university, was apprehended outside Hayden Library after allegedly forcing his way into several cars, grabbing and groping female victims. According to reports by FOX 10 Phoenix, in one harrowing encounter, he was strangling a woman until she managed to fend him off by kicking him in the groin. After being detained, Avery reportedly confessed to police his intention to have sex with the women and revealed a willingness to quickly resort to aggression in order to satisfy his desires.
ASU students reacted to the news with a mixture of fear and disbelief. Addison Gleason, a student at the university, told FOX 10 Phoenix, "It's terrifying," while another student, Viola Castro, remarked, "You definitely have to be careful, because people are doing crazy things like this in broad daylight nowadays."
Further reports from AZFamily indicated that two additional victims came forward after Avery's arrest. He now faces multiple charges, including sex crimes, assault, criminal trespass, burglary, kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment. Avery is currently being held on a $250,000 bond, as the unsettling case continues to be actively investigated by the ASU Police.
