And yet another crime email from the U of M police…apparently this attack left someone partially blind:
In mid-October, a University of Minnesota student was the victim of an unprovoked attack just off campus that resulted in severe and permanent injury. Despite an extensive investigation by Minneapolis Police, no arrests have been made in the case. Now, Minneapolis Police Investigators are asking the University community for assistance or additional information that may help generate new leads. The facts are as follows:
On Sunday, October 12 between 2:15 and 2:30 a.m. a University of Minnesota student and a friend were walking westbound on University Avenue at 18th Avenue. They were on their way to get something to eat and neither had been consuming alcohol that night.
As they walked, the two passed a group of approximately five to 12 black males and black females. The students and the group did not speak to each other.
After passing the group, one of the males came up behind the student and punched him on the side of his head knocking him to the ground. While the student was on the ground, a second suspect from the group approached as if offering to help him up. Instead, the
second suspect punched or kicked the student in the head, again knocking him to the ground and into a lane of traffic on University Avenue. The large group then ran and two or three of the suspects got into a car that was parked southbound on 18th Avenue. The car
was described as a white Dodge Neon four-door, possibly a 1997 to 1999 model year.
Unfortunately, witness descriptions of the suspects are less than complete. One suspect is described as a black male wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Another suspect is described as a black male, approximately five feet, ten inches tall with long dreadlocks and possibly wearing a baseball cap and jeans. One of the women in the group was described as heavyset. All of the suspects in the group were 18 to 21 years old.
The random nature of the assault and the brutality displayed is especially unsettling. As a result of the attack, the victim has permanently and completely lost vision in one of his eyes. Anyone with information about the assault is urged to contact Officer Bill Kenow of the Minneapolis Police Department Assault Unit. Officer Kenow can be reached at 612-919-9005 or William.kenow@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer.
