CHICAGO — An investigation is underway after two DePaul students were attacked while on campus on Wednesday afternoon.
The attack unfolded outside of the student center on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus, just before 3:30 p.m., DePaul President Robert L. Manuel said in a statement.
The two students were approached by two masked individuals who proceeded to punch them before fleeing the scene.
According to Manuel, the two students are both Jewish and were “visibly showing their support for Israel” at the time of the attack.
In a safety alert that was sent out to students on Wednesday afternoon, school officials described the two attackers, adding that one of them wore a black mask, a white t-shirt, and khaki pants while the other wore a black mask, a black hooded jacket, and black pants.
Both students declined medical treatment and university officials said Student Affairs has contacted them to offer care and resources.
Officials from the university said they are working with the Chicago Police Department as they work to determine whether or not to classify the incident as a hate crime.
“We will continue to do everything possible to ensure DePaul is a safe and welcoming space for every member of our diverse university community. We recognize that for a significant portion of our Jewish community, Israel is a core part of their Jewish identity. Those students – and every student – should feel safe on our university campus,” Manuel said in the statement.
Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact DePaul Public Safety at 773-325-7777 (Lincoln Park) or 312-362-8400 (Loop).
