Virginia Commonwealth University Police are investigating the alleged rape of a student after the incident was posted on the social media platform Snapchat.
University police first received reports of the post on Sunday but said they haven’t identified the suspects or determined where exactly the incident occurred. The department said in a statement the alleged assault happened late Saturday or early Sunday at an apartment or private residence.
“The VCU Police Department takes all reports of sexual assault seriously,” said Interim Police Chief Mike O’Berry. “We ask that anyone with information on these two individuals please contact us. Students or community members who were downtown on Saturday night or early Sunday morning may have seen them walking on or near VCU’s campuses, may have seen or met them at a party, restaurant or store or may know them personally.”
When asked if the department had reached out to Snapchat to help identify the suspects, a spokesperson said it’s looking at every avenue for additional information.
VCU Police issued a public safety advisory to VCU students and staff on Monday that included photos of the two suspects that were taken using the university’s security cameras. The cameras captured the individuals walking from Oregon Hill onto VCU’s Monroe Park Campus and then along West Main Street near VCU’s Gladding Residence Center. Police said they do not know if either individual is affiliated with the university but that they received reports that the two men were asking VCU students about parties downtown.
The department is encouraging anyone with information about the incident to call VCU Police at (804)-828-1234 or send tips on the free, mobile LiveSafe app.
