Safety urged in wake of Camp Randall-area incident

UW-Madison is again urging members of the campus community to focus on nighttime safety in the wake of an off-campus incident in the area of Camp Randall Stadium late on June 8.

According to Madison police, at approximately 10:30 p.m. at the corner of Chadbourne Avenue and Breese Terrace (one block north of Regent Street), a UW–Madison student fought with two assailants who attempted to rob him.

During the struggle, the student was shot in the leg, and the suspects fled. The injury was minor, and the student was treated and released from a local hospital. Circumstances around the incident remain unclear and Madison police detectives are continuing to investigate.

Suspects in the incident are described by the Madison Police Department as both being 18- to 22-year-old African American males. One of the suspects is described as being 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches, with a medium to thin build, wearing a baseball cap, black waist-length jacket and blue jeans. He was armed with a handgun. The second suspect is described as having a muscular build with possible injuries to his face.

The incident highlights a continued need for vigilance and attention to personal safety. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to follow these safety guidelines:

• Do not resist a potential robbery. It is better to give up your belongings than be injured in a struggle.
• Carry a cell phone and dial 911 for help.
• Walk with a friend whenever possible.
• Lock your doors at all times, even if you are awake.
• Never let anyone you don’t know into your building.
• Report any crime or suspicion of a crime immediately, starting with your location. If police are contacted within the first five minutes, they have a better chance of finding a suspect.
• Take advantage of UW–Madison SAFEwalk and SAFEride programs available on campus, even during summer months. Call (608) 262-5000 for detailed information.
• Keep your head up. Do not look down or away. Make brief eye contact with all people you meet.
• Use public walkways and avoid isolated shortcuts where you have limited escape routes.
• Be aware of places along your path of travel that could conceal a criminal (shrubbery, building recesses, etc.). Avoid or keep a distance from these areas whenever possible.
• Make sure someone knows when you leave and when to expect you back.
• If you think someone is following you, cross the street. Head for a well-populated and well-lit area at night.

If you have any information about this case, please call Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014.