A woman out for an evening run on Stanford’s campus was sexually assaulted near the intersection of Mayfield Avenue and Santa Ynez Street shortly after 6 PM yesterday, according to campus officials. Police say a man grabbed her and forced her into a landscaped area before taking off on foot.
Timely warning issued to the campus
According to the Stanford Department of Public Safety, the assault occurred at about 6:15 PM and was reported to DPS at roughly 8:25 PM. The department sent out a Timely Warning asking anyone with information to come forward and noted that updates will be posted as they become available. The alert states, “A female jogger reported being grabbed by a male and pushed into a landscaped area near a house,” and describes the suspect as a darker-skinned man with short hair, brown eyes, and a thick braided bracelet on his left wrist. He was last seen wearing a light blue hoodie and dark jeans, and was carrying a semi-automatic handgun in his waistband, according to the notice.
Active investigation and stepped-up patrols
Bill Larson, a spokesperson for Stanford DPS, told Palo Alto Online via email that the investigation is very active. The outlet reports that the university has increased patrols across campus while detectives work leads and interview potential witnesses.
Sex offense reports on campus
Stanford’s most recent Safety, Security, and Fire Report shows that 46 total sex offenses were reported in 2024, down from 63 in 2023, according to the Stanford Report. The university notes that those statistics reflect when reports were received, not necessarily when the alleged incidents took place.
How to report tips and get support
Anyone with information related to yesterday's assault is asked to contact Stanford DPS at (650) 329-2413; in an emergency, call 911.
Stanford also provides confidential resources for students and community members, including the Office for Institutional Equity and a 24/7 Confidential Support Team, as outlined by the university’s Office for Institutional Equity.
