Man assaulted in Eigenmann parking lot

A male was assaulted at about 5:10 a.m. Thursday by a suspect wielding a knife in the east parking lot of Eigenmann Hall, according to an IU Notify alert.

IU Police Chief Keith Cash said the victim, a male student, was parking his car when the suspect approached him.

The suspect asked the student for directions to Eigenmann. He then grabbed the victim’s arm and hair and slammed him against the car several times. The suspect held a knife to the student’s throat and sexually assaulted him.

Cash said the student was not seriously injured but was taken to the hospital.

The alert said after the assault, the suspect ran off in an unknown direction. IUPD searched the area Thursday morning but were unable to locate a suspect matching the victim’s description.

The IU Notify email alert described the suspect as a black male approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall with a thin build and long hair.

He was reportedly wearing a black top and blue jeans and is believed to be between 22 and 30 years old. Cash also said the suspect has a raspy voice.

The alert urged anyone with information about this incident to contact IUPD at 812-855-4111 or by dialing 911. The IU Notify email included the following suggested safety tips:

Be aware of your surroundings, and avoid unsafe situations.

Walk with a friend, especially at night or in the early morning.

Stick to well-lit, well-traveled areas.

— Colleen Sikorski