A Northwestern University student said she was “physically battered” during an argument with a stranger who allegedly entered her dorm room Thursday, according to a security alert from the school.
The student, who is a resident at Allison Hall on the Evanston school’s campus, told police a man she didn’t know entered her room at 4:30 p.m. and a verbal altercation took place.
The man fled, but the student followed and confronted him, the alert states. A second altercation took place and the student was physically battered before the suspect allegedly said “I’ll shoot you.”
Campus police said the student reported no physical injuries and said no weapon was displayed.
Students said the incident occurred in the second floor of the residence hall, and the unusual crime had many students on edge.
"I was really scared being kind of a girl on campus," said student Elizabeth Dickson. "My gut reaction was, oh, should I be staying here?"
"I mean I was surprised," said student Peter Vilim. "It's not like this happens here all that often so I was pretty taken aback."
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Students said the incident is surprising in part because of the high security at the residence hall, designed to prevent situations like this.
"There are so many locked doors that it's actually annoying to get up. I live on the 4th floor, it's honestly annoying to swipe so many times," added Dickson.
The investigation was ongoing Thursday evening, according to police.
The suspect was described as a man about 6 feet tall, weighing 210 pounds with a bald head and no facial hair. He was wearing a green sweatshirt and blue jeans and was carrying a gray backpack, according to the alert.
Students are encouraged to report any suspicious activity by calling 911, and police ask students not to prop doors open or hold doors for people they do not know.
Anyone with information on the altercation is being asked to call Northwestern University Police Department at 847-491-3456 or the Evanston Police Department at 847-866-5000.
