King 5 covers sexual assault allegation on campus

A female student reported being sexually assaulted on campus on Thursday, Jan. 29. According to the victim, the assault occurred at 3 p.m. in the 1100 building and lasted about 20 minutes before she was able to escape without physical harm.

The attack did not come to the public attention until Monday, Feb. 9, when King 5 TV arrived on campus to report on the incident. Their reports on the investigation were broadcast that evening at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. King 5 reports indicated that the victim was a Japanese transfer student who had just graduated from SCC. On the day of the incident, she was forced into a nearby classroom, where the attack occurred.

Sergeant Becky Gibler of SCC’s Campus Security confirmed the King 5 report. Gibler added that students who had class in the building 10 minutes before the alleged attack were questioned, but were unable to provide any information on the attack. According to the report the victim filed with Campus Security, the suspect was smoking outside the 1100 building with a group of other people; he allegedly attacked after the others had left.

According to Judy Yu, SCC’s Director of Public Information, a campus report on the incident was not issued because they “did not want to ask for campus assistance without having a complete description of the suspect and verified details of the case. The victim has been inaccessible to us or to the Shoreline Police Department as she has been away on vacation.”

The attacker was described as a 20-year-old Black male of light complexion with a mustache, about six feet tall and 170 pounds. At the time of the attack, he was reportedly wearing blue jeans and a glossy black leather trench coat. There are currently no suspects.

The incident was originally reported about an hour after the attack to SCC Campus Security, who referred it to the Shoreline Police Department. Shoreline police are currently investigating the attack, which was labeled indecent liberties. According to the Washington State Criminal Code, “A person is guilty of indecent liberties when he or she knowingly causes another person who is not his or her spouse to have sexual contact with him or her….” Indecent liberties through forcible compulsion is a Class A felony.

According to a statement by Judy Yu, Shoreline Police and Campus Security met with the student Feb. 11 to clarify details of the complaint. Following the meeting, Shoreline Police closed the case for unspecified reasons.

With reporting and contributions by Chris Jones and Mason Wardell.