On October 18, the Office of Homewood Public Safety alerted the Johns Hopkins University community about an attempted sexual assault that took place on Decker Quad. An unidentified man, estimated to be around 30 years old, approached a female student asking for directions before assaulting her and attempting to remove her clothing.
In response, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) initiated an investigation into the incident as an attempted rape, collaborating with the Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD) and Public Safety. Following the event, numerous students expressed feelings of insecurity on campus. Sophomore Reshmita Nayudu shared her concerns in an email to The News-Letter, stating, “I think it”s incredibly frightening as a woman on campus because my safety is no longer guaranteed. How can parents feel comfortable sending their kids here if their safety isn”t a given on campus?”
Members of the Sexual Assault Resource Unit (SARU) voiced their worries regarding the university”s handling of sexual assault incidents, noting that prior incidents have not been taken seriously. They highlighted a rise in reports of groping and inappropriate touching near campus, indicating a growing concern among students about safety.
On October 19, JHPD Chief Branville G. Bard sent an update to the university community, mentioning that security footage had been provided to the BPD immediately after the incident. The BPD later released a surveillance image of a person of interest.
In the aftermath, Bard announced an increase in overnight patrols on campus, featuring a larger presence from Public Safety, JHPD, BPD, and Allied Universal officers. Students were encouraged to report any feelings of insecurity to Public Safety.
However, SARU expressed doubts about the effectiveness of security measures, particularly concerning Allied Universal officers. Reports indicated that some officers were seen behaving unprofessionally, including incidents of catcalling and neglecting their duties while on the job.
On October 22, a press briefing was held where BPD and JHPD officials announced the arrest of Raymond Willis Lunn, who was taken into custody on October 21 in connection with the attempted assault. Lunn is a registered sex offender with a lengthy criminal history, including previous convictions for attempted rape and other violent offenses. BPD Col. John Herzog confirmed that investigators are exploring any potential links between Lunn and other sexual assaults in the area.
Herzog also mentioned that the investigation is ongoing to determine if Lunn had previously been present on the Homewood Campus. He noted the importance of confidentiality regarding the anonymous tip that led to Lunn”s arrest.
In closing, Bard reiterated the commitment of his unit to addressing criminal activities on campus, stating, “The safety of our community is paramount. We will continue to use every available resource at our disposal to deal with anyone who intends to commit a crime on or near our campus.”
SARU recommended that the university improve campus lighting at night to enhance safety, especially in areas where non-affiliates may be present.
Furthermore, SARU emphasized the need for ongoing support for sexual violence victims, highlighting that while the recent incident garnered significant attention due to its violent nature, sexual assaults on campus often go unreported and unnoticed.
In all communications, Public Safety and the JHPD have promoted available university resources for mental health and sexual assault crises, which include security escorts, the LiveSafe app, and a 24-hour Sexual Assault Help Line. In case of emergencies, students are instructed to call 911, while non-emergencies can be reported to Public Safety at 677-208-1200.
