Student attacked in Brown campus shower

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - An assault investigation is underway on Brown University's campus in Providence. Police are trying to find a suspect they say attacked a female student in a dormitory bathroom.

The assault took place last Friday around 6:30 p.m. in a dormitory shower in Sears House. According to police, the suspect showed the young woman a knife, then pushed her. The male suspect then fled the area.

In an email sent out to students the same day of attack, the suspect was described as, a male with a light complexion; possibly white or Hispanic approximately five feet six inches tall, lean build, dark hair, cut short, with a lot of facial hair growth. He was wearing an athletic jacket made of swooshy material that was dark in color, light colored blue jeans that did not cover his white sneakers entirely.

"It's definitely not something you'd expect from the safeness of a shower. I'll be double checking that my doors are locked." said Brown University Freshman Maddy Wenstrup, who lives in a dorm near the scene of the attack.

The area was searched by the Providence Police Department and Brown Public Safety, but no evidence turned up.

Freshman Katie Marshall said "It's crazy here during Spring week. People are everywhere. It could be somebody from campus. It could be somebody from off campus."

Marshall also added that she'll make sure she doesn't walk anywhere alone.

Police said the student was not injured in the incident.

In a separate shower incident in March, Public Safety Officers at Brown University tried to track down a "Peeping Tom", after a female student was "photographed by a stranger" while she was showering.

Students said the suspect had been in that dormitory before. That incident is still under investigation.

Anyone with information about last Fridays crime is asked to contact the Providence Police Department at 272-3121 or the Brown University Department of Public Safety at 863-3322.

Any information provided will be kept confidential.