There was a heightened sense of awareness on the University of Chicago campus on Saturday morning after three students reported being held at gunpoint. NBC Chicago’s Vi Nguyen reports.
There was a heightened sense of awareness on the University of Chicago campus on Saturday morning after three students reported being held at gunpoint.
“I’ve heard about stuff like this happening, but never so close to home, and it’s just a bit of a scary thought that it could almost happen to anyone,” said Niall Mandal, who is a first-year graduate student at the University of Chicago.
Mandal lives near 58th Street and Dorchester Avenue, where the robberies occurred.
“I feel like you hear about this stuff on and off again, but having it happen in front of your own apartment building is definitely something out of the ordinary,” he said.
The University of Chicago Police Department said the incident happened at around 5:15 a.m. Three students told police they were walking in the 5800 block of South Dorchester Avenue when they were targeted.
At least four people armed with guns in a white Alfa Romero SUV got out, approached them and demanded their items, according to authorities.
Police said the vehicle had no license plates. The suspects got away with some of the victim’s personal belongings. It’s unclear what was taken, but police said the suspects got back into their vehicle and drove off going southbound on Dorchester Avenue.
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“I was super concerned for those students, it was really worrying,” said Kaira Mack, who is a first-year graduate student at the University of Chicago. “I felt relatively safe on campus, but again we don’t know what was going on… I just feel for them and hope they’re safe.”
Mack and other students told NBC Chicago they’re being extra cautious and vigilant.
University police offered these safety tips for students:
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- Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times
- Do not resist an armed robbery unless absolutely necessary
- Avoid using cell phones or other electronic devices while on the street
- When walking, try to walk with a group or have a friend walk with you
“Sometimes I walk around with my headphones at night, maybe not the best idea, but I think moving forward I’ll remain a little more cautious and just make sure my friends and others around me are doing the same as well,” said Mandal.
The students were not injured. As of Saturday evening, police have not released a description of the suspects.
