A Temple University student was chased into the lobby of Morgan Hall South and assaulted early Sunday morning on the school’s North Philadelphia campus, according to police. The incident happened around 2:50 a.m. The student suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment.
Temple University said in an email to the campus community that Temple University Police are reviewing security video and coordinating with the Philadelphia Police Department and School District of Philadelphia safety officials to identify those involved. The university added that the group damaged university property and that the Division of Student Affairs is providing support to the student who was assaulted.
Police Seek Suspects
According to CBS Philadelphia, Temple University Police released images of persons of interest and urged anyone with information to contact authorities. Temple and Philadelphia police said they are increasing patrols in the area around Morgan Hall as investigators work to track down those responsible.
Campus Response And Resources
The university reminded students to use its walking escort program and the Flight shuttle service and to report any suspicious behavior. The email included contact numbers for Temple University Police and the city’s tip line. “Your safety is our top priority,” Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin wrote.
Context: Juvenile Crowds And Campus Safety
Large gatherings of juveniles near Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue have previously led to similar assaults and arrests, prompting stepped-up patrols and ongoing investigations, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Last year, university officials used social media monitoring and video footage from campus and city cameras to try to identify suspects in such cases, The Temple News reported.
Anyone with information about the Morgan Hall assault is asked to contact Philadelphia Central Detectives at 215-686-3093 or Temple’s Investigations Unit at 215-204-6200, the university said. As of Sunday night, Temple University Police had not announced any arrests.
