A student at the University of Iowa is recovering after a violent assault that he believes to be a hate crime.
Marcus Owens says he was on his way back to his dorm around 10 p.m. Saturday night after going to a pub with friends when out of nowhere a man yelled a racial slur and began punching him.
The college freshman was left with a busted lip, damaged eye socket and cracked front teeth, but Owens says he is determined to fight back.
Owens’ family met with the University of Iowa’s dean of students Wednesday as police continue investigation into the incident.
“It's appalling in the year of 2016 we're still dealing with such ignorance,” Pastor Melvin Owens Jr. said.
Wednesday morning the University of Iowa commented on the claims on Twitter:
“UI officials first learned of the incident when called by a Chicago television station and are working to learn more,” the tweets wrote. “We are deeply disturbed by the incident & concerned for the student. We will inform the campus community as soon as we know more.”
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Iowa City Police said the incident remains under active investigation and asks if anyone has any information related to this incident, or may have been a witness, to call 319-356-5276.
