San Jose State University is taking security measures in response to an assault in a bathroom at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library on Tuesday night.
Library personnel decided to move two large shelves to a different floor and a metal screen near the bathroom’s entrance to increase visibility, SJSU Provost Andy Feinstein said in a message to the campus community today.
A 56-year-old woman was washing her hands in a second-floor bathroom around 9 p.m. when a 37-year-old man hiding inside tried to restrain her, campus spokeswoman Pat Lopes Harris said.
The unarmed man placed his hands around the woman’s neck and pulled her into a handicapped stall, Harris said.
The woman screamed, which led a library patron to rush to the bathroom and help the woman chase the man away, Feinstein said.
The victim chased after the man, who was quickly apprehended inside by university police officers already guarding the library and responding to a separate call, Harris said.
The suspect, who hasn’t been identified, was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of false imprisonment, probation violation, disorderly conduct in a restroom, resisting arrest, assault and battery, university officials said.
The woman and patron who helped her weren’t injured, according to Feinstein.
The library, which is also co-managed by the city, is located at the corner of East San Fernando and South Fourth streets.
The suspect and victim were not affiliated with the city or university, Harris said.
The assault appears to be an isolated incident and students were not notified of what happened since the suspect was immediately arrested, Harris said.
Feinstein said:
“University and library leaders are actively discussing the case right now and will continue to take all reasonable measures to ensure safety at the library.”
Anyone who has more information on the incident is asked to call the university police investigations unit at (408) 924-2215.
Last modified March 10, 2016 12:01 am
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