Students at San Jose State University were buzzing Friday morning after a 21-year-old man told police that he was jumped before dawn by a bunch of suspects who beat him, tried to take his money and whipped out a pocket knife.
"It's a little scary," said Lia Datla, a student. "It's campus, students are supposed to be safe at all times, so you would think."
The victim was not a student, according to SJSU spokeswoman Pat Lopes Harris, and the suspects - about four or five men dressed in black - have not been found.
The man said he was attacked about 1:45 a.m. Friday near the student union. He told campus police that one of the suspects pulled out a pocket knife and demanded his money, though Harris said she believed no money was ever taken. Harris said his left hand was injured while trying to defend himself from the attackers.
The suspects were described to be in their 20s.
At least one student on campus received a text messages about the attack at 3:05 a.m. and another received one about 2:30 a.m., according to two texts provided to NBC Bay Area.
Harris explained that there are at least 35,000 students and employees who can sign up for electronic and phone alerts during emergencies, and all the alerts - emails, texts and phone messages - go out in batches due to the sheer volume of them. Then, she added, it's up to the Internet and wireless providers to send out the messages as quickly as possible.
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Anyone who has information regarding the attack should call San Jose State University Police Department. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email/text their information to: sjsu@tipnow.org or call 408-337-2919.
University police also reminded campus community members to be aware of their surroundings, to avoid walking alone at night, and to immediately report crimes and suspicious activity to the police. Evening Guide Escorts can be requested by calling campus police directly at 408-924-2222.
That's advise that Ashley Anderson already takes to heart.
"I always try to stay with a group of people," she said. "I try to stay with more than one. It makes me feel more safe, for sure."
