MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - The search is on for the man responsible for a reported sexual battery that, police said, occurred on the campus of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens.
Miami Gardens Police units responded to the 15800 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue after receiving a report of the assault, at around 7 a.m., Sunday.
According to a preliminary investigation, the victim, a student at FMU, was waiting at a bus stop when she noticed an unknown man whistling at her.
Fearing for her safety, she walked back onto campus toward her dormitory, police said. Campus authorities then checked her ID and let her on campus grounds.
The assailant followed her and pinned her against a building door, where a sexual battery occurred, police said.
“The victim walked toward the dormitory and the subject jumped the fence line followed the victim then proceeded to grab and sexually batter her,” said Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noell-Pratt during a Monday evening news conference. “We will continue our efforts until this offender is identified and taken into custody.”
Miami Gardens Police told 7News that they plan to investigate the security video of the man jumping the fence.
Video shared to 7News shows a woman opening the front door and entering her dorm without her ID, displaying a lack of security at the school. Further video shows a man entering the female dorm without any identification.
Students at Florida Memorial University shared their thoughts on the incident.
“Oh my gosh, that is so sad, I did not know that,” said Marcaila Smith, a student.
Other students were concerned about the issue.
“Yes, I am very concerned,” said another student.
“It’s unsettling, to be honest,” said Jayda Simmons.
Some students hoped that it would not happen again.
“I think about stuff like that all the time. Cause I’m just very cautious, like it could literally be anyone at anytime,” said Faith, an FMU student.
“They don’t know who it is. I could be walking past the person every day, that’s unsettling,” said another student.
Since the incident, students say they’ve noticed a heightened level of security around campus.
“I guess it makes me feel a little better that there’s more security,” said Simmons.
“It’s never lax security at FMU. I can say that. This is really shocking to me, honestly, like, how this could even happen?” said Smith.
The president of FMU, William C. McCormick, Jr., said in a statement that the matter is being treated “with the utmost seriousness”, and added that the university is working with police, “pursuing all leads, reviewing all footage, and increasing patrols across campus and surrounding areas”.
Students were urged to “remain vigilant, travel in pairs when possible, and promptly report any suspicious activity.”
The subject fled the scene in an unknown direction.
Police described the suspect as a man standing approximately 6 feet tall, with a medium complexion, last seen wearing a black hoodie and black pants.
Officials urge anyone with information about this incident to contact the Miami Gardens Police Department at 305-474-6473 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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