This post originally appeared at https://www.wisconsinrightnow.com/uw-madison-student-attacked-suspect/

UW-Madison student attacked: The suspect is at large.

A female college student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison was left in critical condition after what appears to be a brutal and random attack downtown, Madison police say.

In a press release, the Madison Police Department wrote that a woman “was brutally attacked early Sunday morning (September 3, 2023) downtown” in what appeared to be a “stranger assault.” They confirmed she is a student at UW-Madison.

The police chief, Shon Barnes, speaking in a news conference, called it a “severe attack.” She had “severe signs of physical trauma,” according to the chief. He said medical professionals are working to stabilize the victim, and so it’s not yet clear the extent of her injuries, Barnes said. They haven’t spoken to the victim yet, he said.

“The woman was found along the 500 block of W. Wilson St. around 3:20 a.m. A person living in the area called for police after noticing the victim was severely beaten,” police wrote. There is a sidewalk and there are apartment complexes where the woman was found, Barnes said.

“The victim was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. She remains in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon,” police wrote.  “Detectives and investigators are swabbing the area for biological evidence and recanvassing the area on Sunday.”

Police noted: “They are also searching for additional witnesses and surveillance video. Detectives are specifically looking for video from people who live within a few blocks of the W. Wilson and N. Bedford intersection and have video from 2-4am.

Video and information can be shared by contacting  the Madison Police Department’s non-emergency line at 608-255-2345 or Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014. Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com.”

“This investigation is in its preliminary stages right now. We have called in numerous Madison Police personnel on this holiday weekend to conduct a thorough and complete investigation,” said Assistant Chief Paige Valenta, who oversees the department’s investigative units.

“Patrols in this area will be increased in the area for the time being. Residents are encouraged not to walk alone in the area, particularly at night. People are also encouraged be aware of their surroundings and to notify someone of their departures and arrivals if walking alone the in the area,” police wrote

The campus police chief and dean of Students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent out a statement to the campus community. It reads: