On Sunday, September 19, 2021, at approximately 12:57 a.m., Syracuse University students living at University Village Apartments on South Campus observed a group, described as eight young male teenagers with no affiliation to the University, trying to break into apartments. The students confronted the group and apprehended one of the suspects, while the rest of the group took off. The students called Syracuse Police, who in turn alerted the Department of Public Safety.
While waiting for police to arrive, the students reported that the group returned to the property and threw rocks at the building and windows. The students attempted to apprehend the other suspects, but they fled the scene heading north away from campus through the backyards in the 1500 block of Westmoreland Avenue. One of the suspects reportedly fired a shot into the air while standing near the sidewalk in the 2000 block of East Colvin Street which is just north of the University Village Apartments.
When law enforcement arrived on the scene, the detained teenager was taken into police custody. A magazine for a handgun was located during a ground search of the area adjacent to South Campus. No injuries were reported, and no further description of the suspects is available.
If you were in the vicinity at the time and witnessed the incident, please contact the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5222 or the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool or the Rave Guardian mobile app.
If you or someone you know has been affected by an incident on or near campus, please know that there are resources available to you. In addition, for your safety, please review these suggested safety strategies.
This public safety information is issued for your safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.