Police label college attack a hate crime

Elmhurst College officials are labeling Thursday night's attack on a female Muslim student a hate crime.

The West suburban campus was locked down for an hour after a student reported that she was attacked inside a science building, college officials said. Students were ordered to stay indoors and in a place of safety from 10 to 11 p.m.

Police said the female Muslim student was attacked about 8:30 p.m. by a man wearing a ski mask in a lower level bathroom at the Schaible Science Center. Police found anti-Muslim graffiti there.

The incident happened one week after the victim reported discovering racial slurs and a swastika written on the inside of her locker, said Elmhurst College spokesman Charley Henderson.

The Oct. 2 incident was turned over to Elmhurst police as a hate crime, he said.

In response to that, students and officials organized a diversity rally Thursday afternoon that attracted 200 students and included the victim as a speaker.

Hours later, the woman was struck twice in the head with the butt of a pistol, Henderson said, adding he's not sure how she escaped her attacker. Friends found the woman injured and bleeding when they went into the bathroom to check on her.

A search for the suspect was conducted by campus security and members of the Elmhurst Police Department, officials said.

On Friday, college officials put several safety mechanisms into place. Campus security was contacting Muslim students to offer escort services around the campus. Those can be extended to any student, faculty or staff member.

In addition, some low-use buildings were locked down earlier than usual. Elmhurst police also increased foot and car patrols on and around the campus. The college also plans to offer group counseling on campus.

"I encourage all members of our community to cooperate fully with law enforcement in its investigation of this despicable incident," college President S. Alan Ray said.

Resident adviser Aleya Schwartz on Friday called the episode completely "unacceptable."

Hundreds of community members turned out for a peace rally Friday afternoon, including the victim's mother.

"If there was a turnout like this, it must have hit home with people," Schwartz said. "We don't tolerate (this behavior)."

• Daily Herald staff writer Lee Filas contributed to this report.