DALLAS, TX – Southern Methodist University (SMU) is grappling with the aftermath of a reported assault that took place on its campus last Friday. The incident, which occurred around 12:30 a.m., left students and staff on edge as the university quickly moved to address the situation.
The victim, a student at SMU, reported being physically assaulted inside his dorm room by three unidentified men. According to the university, the student believes he was targeted in retaliation for a previous incident, although details about that prior event have not been disclosed.
In response to the report, SMU promptly issued a campus-wide alert, warning students and staff about the assault and urging them to help identify two of the suspects captured on surveillance cameras. The university’s swift communication included follow-up emails, drills, and tests of their alarm systems to ensure the safety of the campus community.
Freshman Alexa Valentine, a resident in the dorms, expressed her concern over the incident but appreciated the university’s efforts to keep everyone informed. “It’s obviously sad to see what’s going on within our community when things like that occur,” Valentine said. “But it’s good that we’re all made aware and that we’re protected and safe.”
Shortly after the initial alert, SMU police provided an update, announcing that the two men seen in the surveillance photos had been identified, and arrest warrants were issued. Despite this progress, no arrests have been made yet, and the investigation continues.
The university has not disclosed how the suspects managed to gain entry into the dorms, which require a student key card for access and automatically lock when shut. Questions remain about whether the suspects are current or former students, but the university has refrained from sharing further information during the ongoing investigation.
As the investigation proceeds, SMU has assured the campus community that no other suspects are being sought. However, the incident underscores the importance of campus safety and the need for vigilance among students and staff.