An attempted sexual assault was reported Sunday at around 1:45 p.m. by the 1300 block of Pickens Street, according to a USC crime bulletin. The City of Columbia Police Department is currently investigating.
A woman walking on the sidewalk was approached from behind by an unidentified male, who was described as a black man between the ages of 20 and 30, wearing a black hoodie and black pants. The man forced the victim into an alley and then attempted to sexually assault her. Another person heard the victim's screams and ran to the area to intervene, but the suspect fled immediately. The suspect was reported to have fled several blocks away from campus.
Police did not issue an emergency notification because, according to the crime bulletin, "there was no immediate (on going) danger to the community." The bulletin also said there was a time delay before the incident was reported to USCPD.