In the wake of a brutal assault on a female student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, authorities in Madison, Wisconsin, have increased police patrols.
The attack, described as "violent and severe," occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting city leaders to urge the campus community to exercise heightened vigilance.
The city announced on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, "#Madison, WI and UW police are increasing patrols & the campus community is urged to be vigilant following a violent early morning attack in the area of W. Wilson & Bedford."
The incident took place near the intersection of South Bedford and West Wilson streets, a stone's throw from Lake Monona. Police responded to the scene around 3:20 a.m. Sunday, and the victim was swiftly transported to the hospital with injuries deemed life-threatening.
Authorities are treating the incident as a "stranger assault," which occurred in the aftermath of the Badgers football team's home opener victory, 38-17. A friend of the victim, speaking to Milwaukee's WISN-TV, revealed the victim had suffered a broken jaw and had been strangled, beaten, and sexually assaulted. An anonymous neighbor reported that the victim had been abducted from the sidewalk and dragged between two houses.
The search is ongoing for one or more unidentified suspects, but no description has been released as yet. Both campus and city police have remained silent in response to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Madison police are appealing to anyone with information on the attack to contact them at 608-255-2345. They are also requesting anyone with security cameras near the intersection of West Wilson and South Bedford streets to share their footage from between 2 and 4 a.m. Sunday.
The incident has sparked controversy in Madison, a city known for its progressive leanings. The city had cut $2 million in police funds in 2020 following protests against police brutality, according to the Capital Times, a weekly city newspaper. This led police leaders to seek external funding through federal grants and other programs.
"This investigation is in its preliminary stages right now," stated the city's assistant chief of police, Paige Valenta, on Sunday. "We have called in numerous Madison Police personnel on this holiday weekend to conduct a thorough and complete investigation."
The attack has raised concerns about safety in the city, particularly at night. A Reddit post from the start of last year's fall semester saw a young woman questioning the safety of walking in the city late at night. The top reply to her query was a resounding "No."
In light of the recent attack, police are advising residents to avoid walking alone in the area, particularly at night, and to remain alert to their surroundings. Those who must venture out alone after dark are advised to inform friends or family of their "departures and arrivals."
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