Public outcry sounded over a “too little, too late” response from defunded police after a university student suffered life-threatening injuries following a physical and sexual assault.
Early Sunday morning, a coed from the University of Wisconsin-Madison was rushed to the hospital after being attacked off-campus between 2 and 4 a.m. Now, after the 20-year-old woman was left in critical condition, authorities announced that they would be increasing patrols.
The City of Madison shared a report from Channel 3000 Sunday and wrote on X, “#Madison, WI and UW police are increasing patrols & the campus community is urged to be vigilant following a violent early morning attack…”
Speaking at a press conference Sunday, Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes detailed, “It appears that she was violently attacked.”
“I have authorized a full complement of police resources in investigating this matter. We do intend to bring this person, or persons, to justice,” he added.
(Video: WISN 12 News/YouTube)
According to a report from WISN, the young woman was discovered with a broken jaw and an investigation had begun before dawn.
WISN-TV reported:
According to a neighbor, the young woman was walking on a sidewalk when she was forced into an area between two houses at Bedford and Wilson streets. Someone heard her crying for help and called police.
A friend of the victim told WISN 12 News Monday the UW senior was strangled, beaten and sexually assaulted.
She also suffered a broken jaw, but is said to be recovering after police Sunday said she was in critical condition.
ADVERTISEMENTIn the meantime, police are reaching out to neighbors with surveillance cameras or doorbell cameras, hoping one of them may have captured the suspect on video. Police say they’re also collecting DNA evidence.
“The cops were knocking on our door at 4 in the morning,” student Azza Bayoudh had told the outlet. “It was kind of terrifying because I was like, that kind of could’ve been me. So that’s what scared me. So we have our doors locked now and we hope they catch whoever it was.”
In late 2020, after a summer of violent protests swept the nation, sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody, NBC 15 reported that Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway fully supported her move to reduce funding for the MPD by $2 million for the 2021 budget.
The city’s Finance Department had indicated at the time that a five percent budget reduction would sacrifice 52 jobs and 10 percent would eliminate 104 employees from the police department.
As a result, Assistant Chief of Police Paige Valenta was left encouraging the public to remain vigilant while they worked to call in extra resources over the holiday weekend.
“This investigation is in its preliminary stages right now,” she said during the press conference. “We have called in numerous Madison Police personnel on this holiday weekend to conduct a thorough and complete investigation.”
“If you are going out — let someone know where you are going and when you arrive. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right — act,” Valenta added.
“I’m usually pretty cautious, especially at night, but definitely tend to hold my keys a little tighter,” one Abby Lokai told WISN. “I usually have some other people walking with me at all times. I think that’s the best thing. Travel in groups.”
Wednesday morning, the Madison Police announced they would be holding a media briefing to provide updates on the investigation, but the public could not help but remain focused on the obvious negligence and dereliction that led to the young woman’s assault.
Too little, too late. My mother, native of #Waukesha, would be ashamed of her state were she alive today.
How many more violent attacks do you people want before you restore the police department? Give the media+citizens a number-you obviously have one in mind.
— Lisa Raymond (@LisaRaymondAZ) September 6, 2023
Duh. A little late. Your decisions to not fund or prioritize public safety are the reason this young lady is now a victim for life…assuming she lives. It is disgraceful.
— lindaf3 (@lindaf35) September 6, 2023
Negligence!
— Fly Guy (@footin) September 6, 2023
You can thank @MayorOfMadison @SatyaForMadison @MadCityCouncil for this heinous act. They hate the police and our city is no longer safe and clean. There was a shooting on State Street Friday night. DO NOT SEND YOUR KIDS TO THE UW-MADISON.
— Stan Dunn (@StanDunn366826) September 4, 2023
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.