A person was struck in the head with a sock filled with rocks late Sunday night near The Wagon restaurant on South University Boulevard, just steps from the University of Oklahoma campus, according to OU police. The victim suffered a serious injury requiring medical attention, officials said, and the attacker remains at large as investigators try to piece together what triggered the assault.
The attack happened around 10 p.m. Sunday near The Wagon, according to KFOR, which reported the incident. Police described the suspect as a white male with a beard, last seen wearing gray sweatpants and a brown shirt. Officers are actively searching for the man and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
A Popular Nightlife Block Turns Dangerous
The Wagon sits in the heart of Campus Corner, Norman's historic commercial strip pressed right up against OU's campus. The incident occurred on South University Boulevard on Sunday.
Investigators have not said whether the victim and the suspect knew each other, and the motive behind the assault has not been determined. Police are continuing to look into what led to the incident, per the same KFOR report.
What Oklahoma Law Says About the Weapon
Using a sock loaded with rocks as a bludgeon may have legal implications, but the supplied sources do not establish the applicable Oklahoma offense or penalties. The supplied sources also do not establish whether Title 21, Section 1282 specifically bans carrying or using a “slungshot” or classifies it as a felony.
Police Safety Guidance Following the Attack
OU police released safety tips in the wake of the assault. Anyone who becomes a victim of an assault should immediately move to a safe location and report the crime to law enforcement, according to police. Witnesses observing an assault in progress should stay calm and contact law enforcement rather than intervening directly, and people are urged not to attempt to apprehend suspects themselves.
Officers also advised residents and students to be cautious around strangers, keep a safe distance, and travel with friends when possible, noting there is safety in numbers. Witnesses who see something are asked to provide law enforcement with as much detail as possible about suspects and vehicles involved.
A Pattern of Recent Incidents Near Campus
Sunday's attack adds to a string of public safety concerns that have surfaced around OU's campus this year. In April, Hoodline reported on a brutal OU beating that left a student with a broken jaw requiring surgery and led to felony charges in Cleveland County court. Earlier this month, Cleveland County Sheriff's deputies arrested a 32-year-old man accused of trafficking cocaine directly targeting OU students, a case Hoodline also covered.
Law enforcement presence in Campus Corner has been notably heavy in recent months. A joint operation involving the Norman Police Department, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, and ABLE resulted in 17 charges and arrests near Campus Corner, according to OU Daily. The supplied sources do not establish whether the Norman Police Department maintains dedicated outreach liaisons with the Campus Corner Merchants association or what purpose such an effort would serve.
Federal law provides for timely warnings when crimes near campus pose a threat to students. The supplied sources do not establish the release date, scope, or preparation of an annual University of Oklahoma campus safety report.
Police were continuing to search for the man responsible.
