Suspects Behind Towson Area Student Attacks Remain At Large
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- The Towson area is on high alert after two violent attacks on students from Towson University and Goucher College in just two days. Police are worried for the victims' safety -- with those behind the terror at large right now.
Mike Hellgren tells us where the search for suspects stands.
No one has been caught, and that has the community on edge.
The victims were simply walking on well-traveled Burke Avenue, just off York Road. The first attack on Sunday was a block from the second attack on Monday, and close to both Towson University and Goucher College.
"Now that it's getting darker earlier, it's kind of scary walking home from classes," said Jen Obendorfer, student.
And police say these men are so dangerous, right now, they're worried about retaliation. They tell WJZ: "The name of the hospital and the identities of both victims are being withheld for safety reasons."
"It's Towson. It's a college town. I shouldn't feel this uncomfortable," said Katie Dulny, Towson student.
"That's a main street. I mean, Burke Avenue is not some little back road," said Dr. Deb Moriarty, Students Affairs, Towson University.
For the first time, Towson University is speaking about the violence that left one of their own with stab wounds.
"We feel it's our responsibility to let them know when and where things are happening," Moriarty said.
That includes partnering with county police to increase patrols and warning students to get rid of distractions.
"There's this phrase right now that's called 'apple picking' where the cell phones are just being picked out of students' hands," said Moriarty.
"People are distracted. People aren't paying attention because they feel safe here," Dulny said.
Connections between the attacks not only include the location, but the suspects. They are described as three young men. The method is also similar: using a knife to threaten the victims.
"Never this blatant. That's what's scary. It's time after time now," said Dana Rampolla, mother of Towson student. "They say that the police patrol is out. But where? I'm not quite sure."
Towson University and Baltimore County Police say they are stepping up patrols.
Cell phones were taken in both attacks.
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