ROCK HILL, S.C. — Winthrop University Police Department is investigating a sexual assault that took place on Nov. 16 around 10 a.m. on the campus in Phelps Hall. WUPD recently released a sketch of the suspect.
According to WUPD, officers do not believe the individual and her assailant knew each other. Officials also do not believe the suspect is affiliated with the university. However, until police positively identify the suspect, they can’t rule it out entirely.
On campus, students are feeling uneasy.
“I’ve noticed more people walking around in groups,” Winthrop University student Kathryn Pike said. “Like more people saying, ‘Where are you at? Where are you parked?’”
Students describe feeling on edge after learning about it the sexual assault that police say happened last Tuesday. The surveillance photos released by police appear to show the suspect walking around Winthrop University’s campus wearing a backpack.
“It is very concerning that a random Rock Hill resident -- if even -- just a random citizen was able to walk across campus into a specific residence hall,” Ravyn Speigner, who is a member of WU Student for Change, said.
WU Students for Change was started in the spring of 2021 as a group advocating for victims of sexual assault on Winthrop University’s campus.
“The fact of the matter is these camera photos that they’re releasing are blurry because the cameras are not very good," Milo Wolverton, another member of WU Students For Change, said.
Wolverton raised questions about why the university issued an alert 30 hours after learning about the assault.
“We feel that there was a perpetrator, a rapist, walking around a campus, walking into dorms – and nobody knew,” Wolverton said.
Winthrop officials say campus police are looking for ways to make the campus safer – like increasing patrols around campus, adjusting lighting, and cutting back tree limbs for better visibility.
“I mean it’s scary going by myself to my car at around 6:15,” Pike said. “I was walking the same path he walked.”
Winthrop officials told us residence halls are locked 24/7 and students need a Winthrop ID to get inside, adding that students should stay vigilant about not letting strangers into the building.
Winthrop University students said they’re planning an on-campus protest because of this incident on Dec. 6.
The suspect is described as:
- A white male in his early twenties
- Muscular in stature
- Approximately six feet tall or slightly over
- Dark brown hair, trimmed neat and close to head
- Blue eyes, described as being crystal blue or ice blue in appearance
- Having light facial hair
Man wanted for Winthrop University sexual assault
At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing:
- Dark blue/black baseball hat with small white in color logo
- Carolina Panther jacket/sweat shirt. The majority of the item was light blue in color, with the shoulder area being dark blue in color
- Dark-colored, possibly gray, pants
- Black athletics shoes, with white bottom trim
WUPD is asking the Winthrop community for assistance in identifying the suspect.
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