The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is actively investigating an incident that occurred on East Genesee Street on Sunday, Aug. 1 around 8:45 a.m. A student was walking on East Genesee when an unknown male reportedly approached them making derogatory statements about Asian individuals. The suspect also spat in the student’s direction.
The suspect is described as a male, 50-59 years of age, 5’8’ to 5’10’, approximately 140 pounds, wearing a light color polo shirt, dark trousers, light gray bucket hat and carrying a dark blue shopping bag.
“Although this incident happened off campus, our students must feel safe, welcome and respected when out in the broader community,” says DPS Chief Bobby Maldonado. “Working closely with Syracuse Police, we will do everything we can to identify the individual responsible for inflicting hate on one of our students. At this time, we do however have no reason to believe that this individual is affiliated with the University.”
Since the incident, the following actions have been taken:
- Camera footage has been reviewed
- Witnesses have been interviewed
DPS continues to investigate this incident and implores anyone with information to contact DPS at 315.443.2224. Anonymous tips can be reported to DPS through the Silent Witness tool or the Rave Guardian mobile app.
The University recognizes how these incidents can affect individuals and communities. If you or someone you know has been affected by a bias incident, there are resources available to you:
- Support services are available at the Barnes Center at The Arch by calling 315.443.8000.
- To report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the Stop Bias website or call 315.443.3514 or email stopbias@syr.edu.
- Additional resources and reporting information is available by contacting:
- Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services: 315.443.4018, EqualOpp@syr.edu
- Center for International Services: 315.443.2457, international@syr.edu
- Dean of Students Office: 315.443.4357, dos@syr.edu
- Office of Multicultural Affairs: 315.443.0228, oma@syr.edu
- LGBTQ Resource Center: 315.443.0228, lgbt@syr.edu
- Disability Cultural Center: 315.443.0228, sudcc@syr.edu