Student attacked while asleep by intruder at U of Manitoba residence

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Peggy

A woman was assaulted early Friday morning while she was asleep at her university student housing residence by an unknown intruder, Winnipeg police say.

Police were called about the break-in and assault on Dafoe Road, at a student housing complex, at 4:45 a.m. The woman fought off the intruder after he entered her room and physically assaulted her, police said in a news release.

The woman was treated for injuries and is in stable condition, police said.

“This was a very random occurrence.… We are treating it with great concern,” Const. Dani McKinnon, a Winnipeg police public information officer, said at a Friday news conference.

The six-storey student housing complex is called the Arthur V. Mauro Residence, and has capacity to house up to 316 students in 155 suites, according to the U of M.

McKinnon said the student’s suite was not on the building’s main floor.

A woman in a police uniform speaks at a podium. — Const. Dani McKinnon says Winnipeg police are urging students and residents in the neighbourhood of Fort Richmond to lock their doors and be aware of their surroundings when walking at night. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)

McKinnon said police don’t want the community to be alarmed, but urged U of M students and residents in the Fort Richmond neighbourhood to take safety precautions following the incident.

“This is not something that occurs regularly,” McKinnon said.

But “please lock your doors … make sure you have your cellphone with you, be aware of your surroundings, especially in the darkness hours,” she added.

The University of Manitoba said in a Friday email to students that it will increase security on the campus immediately in response to the incident.

Police are seeking public assistance in finding the attacker, and released photos Friday showing a person they said is a suspect.

He is described as an adult male, approximately five foot 10 to six feet tall, with long, unkempt hair and facial hair. He was wearing a black jacket with a grey hoodie, possibly blue jeans and black shoes with a black-and-blue backpack.

Police say they are working closely with the University of Manitoba while the sex crimes unit investigates.

They’re asking anyone who recognizes the person, or has other information that may help, to contact the sex crimes unit at 204-986-6245, or contact Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online.