SHOREWOOD, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) issued an emergency alert Tuesday evening after a sexual assault occurred near Prospect and Edgewood.
UWM says its police department is investigating a sexual assault that was reported on Tuesday. The assault occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 in a wooded area on the 2400 block of Edgewood.
Police say the victim was walking in the area when the suspect forced her into a wooded area and assaulted her. The suspect then fled westbound on Edgewood and was last seen near the intersection of Maryland and Edgewood.
The suspect is described as a white male between 20-24 years old, 6'1", and 200 pounds with an average build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, red flannel shirt, and dark gray jeans and was armed with a knife.
Graduate student Alex O’Rourke said, “It’s upsetting. It’s very sad."
Freshman Elisabeth Kronebush agreed, "Definitely scary for everyone."
O’Rourke said of the victim who is a student, “I’m thinking about her. I hope she is okay.”
Graduate student Sarah Chartrand said, “It makes me question the safety around here.”
The UWM Police Department said it has increased campus patrols. TMJ4 reached out to campus police about how much they have specifically heightened their patrols. TMJ4 also tried to get a better description of the suspect, other than the very vague description they first provided to students and staff. We have not heard back.
After a brutal assault on Madison’s campus in early September, university police reminded women about free self-defense classes they offer about once a month. They teach women if they are ever attacked to be loud, how to fight back and remember not to be distracted by their phones or walk alone.
A reminder to be safe, no matter where you are as we wait to learn more from campus police.
Please call the UWM Police Department (414) 229-4627 if you have any information about the incident.
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