UC Irvine student stabbed while walking dog on campus during attempted sexual assault: Police
IRVINE, Calif. (FOX 11) - A UC Irvine student was stabbed on Sunday night while walking her dog around a student apartment community on the east side of the Irvine campus, authorities said. Investigators said that the suspect was attempting to sexually assault the victim.
The stabbing was reported at 9:56 p.m. around the Camino Del Sol apartments in the 3300 block of Arroyo Vista Drive, campus spokesman Tom Vasich said.
A man with a large build attacked the woman from behind, Vasich said. A struggle ensued, during which time the suspect attempted to forcibly remove the victim's clothing, struck her in the head, and stabbed her, according to UCI Public Safety. The victim was taken to a hospital where her vital signs were stable, Vasich said.
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The suspect is described as a large male who was last seen wearing a dark-colored hoodie. The suspect fled the immediate area, and responding UCI police officers established a perimeter, requesting medical aid from Orange County Fire Authority for the victim and additional resources from the City of Irvine Police Department.
Campus police put out a "Zot Alert'' text message to students urging them to "secure in place'' while campus and Irvine police searched for the suspect, Vasich said. The Anteater Recreation Center near the crime scene was closed down.
Another "Zot Alert'' was sent at about 11:45 p.m. saying "UCIPD has checked campus thoroughly and have no reason to believe suspect is in the area.''
UCI will have increased patrols in and around the Camino Del Sol apartments and will be increasing the availability of safety escorts for the next several days, according to UCI Public Safety.
The UCI Police Department Safety Escort program is available to anyone. The safety escort program is a free service provided as an alternative to walking alone. To request a safety escort, call 949-824-7233.
Anyone with information about the stabbing was asked to call UCI police at 949-824-5223.
CNS contributed to this report.