Student attacked on East University taken to hospital after being knocked unconscious
A student was taken to the University of Michigan hospital early Sunday after he was attacked by a group of five males, the U-M Department of Public Safety reported.
The attack happened about 2:30 a.m. on East University Street near Hill Street, according to DPS.
Five men jumped out of a silver sedan and approached the student, who was walking with a companion. One of the men punched the student, who was knocked unconscious when he hit his head on the ground.
Ann Arbor police responded to the scene, and the student was hospitalized. As of Sunday afternoon, the victim had not yet been interviewed by police. No further description of the attackers was available.
Ben Freed is a summer intern at AnnArbor.com. You can reach him by email at benfreed@annarbor.com or by phone at (734)-623-4674. Follow him on Twitter @BFreedInA2.
Comments
Tony Dearing
Mon, Jul 25, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.
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katy
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 5:48 p.m.
The Crime Alerts notification clearly stated that the attack was by five black males.
katy
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
The Crime Alerts notification clearly stated that the attack was by five black males.
katy
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 11:51 p.m.
The Crime Alerts notification clearly stated that the attack was by five black males.
Tony Dearing
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
A comment regarding our moderation was moved to the post where we discuss moderation practices. You can see it here: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/about/annarborcom-conversation-guidelines-comment-moderation/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:d6876922-df81-4397-9065-631548b6feb7">http://www.annarbor.com/about/annarborcom-conversation-guidelines-comment-moderation/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:d6876922-df81-4397-9065-631548b6feb7</a>
Atticus F.
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
Otherwise known as the thread of lost comments...
RJA
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 4:21 a.m.
I believe the police officers are doing their job, I wish they could arrest them all and send them off to WAR!
The Darker Knight
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 11:24 p.m.
Hello my metropolis of Ann Arbor. As someone I know would say... "Why sooooo seeerious?". I can tell you why this is serious... it is a sign of things to come. I along with your officers in blue can only do so much. I asked a friend of mine in the police department what was going on in Ann Arbor recently. He told me that on Saturday night - last night, when this incident happened - there were only 5 police cars covering the entire city. In those cars were only 6 total officers. Headquarters had 1 desk officer and a Sergeant. So for for 30 square miles you had 1 squad car for every 6 sqare miles. For the regular population plus visitors last night I think it would be fair to say there were 130,000 here in the city... so there was 1 police car for every 26,000 people or 1 police officer for nearly each 22,000 people. Those 5 cars answered nearly 100 calls for service. On a hot summer night - that is a recipe for danger - one that innocent citizens unfortunately get caught up in. Even with me out there helping where I can... it does not come as a shock that the criminal element is starting to see that Ann Arbor is becoming an easy target for their dubious schemes. What are your leaders going to do to help? I am not sure. It is a sad state of affairs this fine city is starting to find itself in. All I can say is that if you need the extra help - I will be looking skyward for your signal.
Steve Pepple
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
A comment containing a personal attack against another commenter has been removed.
MjC
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.
Where are the campus police? Where are the city police? Mr. Mayor and City Council... THIS is what happens when you cut the pollice force. President Coleman and the Regents - THIS is what happens when you take student safety lightly. We should be able to see police vehicles or personnel around the campus and city 24/7. Not a police car hiding behind a bush hoping to catch a speeder... but police looking for punks like this gang, as well as the crazy creep who attacked two women last week. Take action now!
Kai Petainen
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
ducks and geese are killed off-campus and we get huge articles. but, an attack occurs right near/on campus and we get small articles. why?
katy
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.
The small articles about your near/on campus tragedy's is because Ann Arbor does not want this type of news out to tarnish the city thus making it look less attractive. The less you know the better for the fair city. The same thing happened here in my small town, and I've heard of it happening else-where. Another reason-they don't want people to get too bent out of shape and become vigilantes. This is outrageous.
Robert
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.
And of course because of which, the usual politics.
Robert
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 1 a.m.
Investigation.
McFly
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
Pedestrians being attacked in the middle of the city, streets so disrepaired and undrivable that there is no longer any pothole filling, maintenance, snow removal. And the city wants to stop trash pick up. Maybe we can fill our potholes with the piles of garbage. There is something very very wrong with this picture, Ann Arbor. All the beauty you can buy for this city means nothing when the rest of it is crumbling and people are either sick of car suspension repair costs or afraid for their safety. I wish I could fix it.
Robert
Thu, Jul 21, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.
@John B.- What are you talking about? Ann Arbor isn't in any way, shape, or form Republican. It's as blue as they come as far as I can see.
John B.
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 12:32 a.m.
Welcome to RepubliKan trickle-down-land.
silverwings
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
The wolf packs have been around for years, but activity definitely seems to have picked up this summer. Time for a stepped-up response from AAPD.
huh7891
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
AAPD just laid off 4 officers, I wouldn't hold my breath looking for stepped up patrols. Remember your mayor was " comfortable" with the cuts.
Ron Granger
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 8:46 p.m.
Maybe if those armed UM police would stop writing so many traffic tickets, and do real police work, there would be less of this. Specifically, they should park their cars and get on bicycles.
trespass
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 11:42 p.m.
Most of the UM police are harrassing whistleblowers, protecting regents from "stalkers, harrassing or arresting protesters, guarding Regents meetings from speakers who talk for more than 5 minutes, issuing trespass warnings, covering up crimes by athletes or harrassing women.
Cosmo
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
Maybe it's time to send out some decoys?
Boo Radley
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 11:19 p.m.
The AAPD used to do that, and I remember a number of serial rapists, flashers and other criminals being caught that way. But .... then again, that was probably when they had 50 to 60 more officers than they have now. And they don't need to anyway, the mayor says crime is really low.
Cash
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 7:44 p.m.
I hope the student will be okay. Head injuries can be life altering. I sure hope he heals as good as new.
Technojunkie
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
It's called the "Knockout Game". Google it for news reports from various parts of the country. There's a recent article about it here: <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/07/the_knockout_game_racial_violence_and_the_conspicuous_silence_of_the_media.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/07/the_knockout_game_racial_violence_and_the_conspicuous_silence_of_the_media.html</a>
Ricebrnr
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.
Soon to be called the picked the wrong victim misadventure...
City Confidential
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.
The real question is : where was the common sense? What was this guy doing walking around AT NIGHT with only ONE companion? Let's not get PC or anything and let's ask ourselves why would someone dare to walk on a street, especially after the sun has gone down and expect not to get attacked? You can't walk in front of the speeding car and expect not to get hit, even if you have the right of way, am I right? Where are all of the victim blamers now - oh wait, the victim was a male, so it wasn't his fault, it was the fault of bad guys who attacked him. When will we start realizing that it is the perpetrators that are responsible, not the survivors who are just minding their business, no matter what time of night it happens to be and no matter what sex/gender they are?
katy
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : midnight
You are a smart @%! Some people think this town is safe-it gives you that feeling. Ann Arbor keeps these mishaps from becoming too public so that you don't hear of them and think it must be safe. You sound like the type of person that would have done this.
Andrew
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 9:55 p.m.
Because Ann Arbor. You should be able to walk around at night. On your own even. What is this, haloween when you're 5 or kindergarten when you need to use the buddy system? I should be able to walk down the street and not worry about getting attacked. And I'm not worried, really... That's what self-defence and CCW will do for ya. Here's an idea... let's stop laying off police and assigning them to BS traffic offenses that nobody really cares about. Basically, it's a college town. People are going to be out late, and that's not going to change. So something else needs to change.
City Confidential
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 7:54 p.m.
We should all be safely hidden in our bunkers, behind our barricades, with our arsenals of handguns (with extended magazines) surrounded by our men-folk at all times - and if we aren't, well then, what did you expect? Don't you dare open your door when someone rings your bell - it's probably an attacker! It's just not a safe world out there anymore. When are people going to realize this? If they don't, and they are attacked, it won't be their fault, but... c'mon how stupid can you be?
lynel
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
My feelings exactly. I just reread the comments about the 2 women who had the audacity to be out late. Guess men need to stay in after dark too.
MAS
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
For some reason I think the Ann Arbor historical preservation association could have handled this better than the UM police.
genetracy
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
Next time you need a cop, call them instead. Or better yet, enlist a homeless person.
smokeblwr
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 6:58 p.m.
Every summer we seem to get a gang of fellows like this patrolling the campus area looking to beat down on soft college kids. Activity seems to have picked up this summer. Isn't UM supposed to be patrolling their own property? Maybe they should ban groups of young males after dark? No groups larger than 2!
katy
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
Why aren't these type of stories put in the news? I couldn't find it anywhere but annarbor.com!
umich07
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
The Crime Alerts notification clearly stated that the attack was by five black males.
katy
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:10 a.m.
Actually the attack was by five black niggers. No doubt about it.
lester88
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 6:08 p.m.
"Rapundalo said despite the cuts, the number of officers on patrol hasn't gone down and residents should feel secure that city officials are looking out for their safety." My sources tell me there were only 5 or 6 officers on patrol overnight.
Robert
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 1 a.m.
@StrongFire I disagree. I don't think it was random at all. Based on the info given, I think that the attacker and victim at least had previously interacted and possibly even knew each other decently well. I believe this because: 1. Five guys approach two guys at night. 2. ONE of the five antagonizers goes up to ONE of the two innocent pedestrians. He lays one blow. 3. Upon the victim falling to the ground, the attacker and his crew walk away from the scene, get back into their vehicle, and drive away. 4. We don't even know the gender of the companion who was with the victim and as far as we know, nobody touched him/her. 5. While five against one is hardly a fair match and all five could have taken the two down, this happened in such an organized and fluid fashion that it almost seems premeditated. That's probably also why a lot of details about the incident aren't being released. There's probably further investigation into who the attacker(s) are and why (t)he(y) attacked this guy. Furthermore, I don't think race necessarily had anything to do with it, as while we know that the single attacker (and the other four men, who were antagonistic bystanders in my opinion, however wrong they were for including themselves in the circumstance) are black, we don't know the race of either the victim or the innocent bystander.
genetracy
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
Why do need more cops? A2 needs their wall murals.
StrongFire
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
The number of officers on duty at the time of the incident would have made no difference in this matter. The attack seems to be quick and possibly random. Although, time will tell concerning the second point. It sounds like the police response was quick enough to render aid to the victim.
quetzalcoatl
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 5:56 p.m.
This is pretty hard to believe
katy
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
One more thing-the student/victim still may die as a result of this!
katy
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 10:33 p.m.
The innocent student/victim almost died due to the impact of hitting the concrete. I hope word gets around so that anyone else that must walk at night will be on high alert. Please read the article someone else posted about the knockout game.
lynel
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 5:59 p.m.
Why?