CHICAGO — Chicago Police released the photos of two people wanted in connection with an attack against two Jewish students at DePaul University last week.
The attack unfolded outside the student center at DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus around 3:20 p.m. last Wednesday, WGN9 reports. The students were approached by two masked individuals who punched them before fleeing the scene. Chicago PD said the two victims, a 21-year-old man and a 27-year-old man, were struck in the face and body. The 21-year-old was also pushed to the ground.
Mendy Benhiyoun, the rabbi for Metro Chicago Hillel, said the students were wearing t-shirts and holding signs standing up against antisemitism when they were attacked. Benhiyoun also said there had been a group of counter-protesters across the street when the incident happened.
RELATED ARTICLE: Columbia Settles with Student Suspended for Using ‘Fart Spray’ During Pro-Palestine Protest
“At a certain point, they realized he was distracted enough he came threw a really big punch to his face which threw him to the ground, he blacked out.” he said. “What’s more concerning is that after it happened there were students that came over to two Jewish students and to say ‘You guys deserve this,’ and ‘This is what you get.’”
One of the victims, who is an IDF soldier, captured part of the attack on his cell phone. He also captured footage of one of the suspect’s shaking his hand before the attack. Both students declined medical attention onsite but went to the hospital the following day. One suffered a concussion while the other suffered a fractured wrist.
Chicago Police Release Photos, Descriptions of DePaul Assault Suspects
In a letter released Wednesday night, DePaul President Robert Manuel called the attack “targeted,” noting the school is actively working with Chicago PD.
Chicago PD subsequently released the photos Thursday night, referring to the attack as a “battery/hate crime” investigation. Officers provided the following descriptions of the suspects:
- A male, approximately 20 years of age, who is believed to stand between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-11 and weigh between 150 and 170 pounds. He has a full beard and short dark hair with shaved sides. At the time of the attack, he was spotted wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black shoes.
- A male, approximately 20 years of age, who is believed to stand between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall and weigh between 150 and 170 pounds. At the time of the attack, he was spotted wearing a black balaclava that covered his face, a white t-shirt and khaki pants.
Manuel is urging anyone who has information about the incident or who experiences any threats or acts of violence to report them to DePaul Public Safety at 773-325-7777 in Lincoln Park or 312-362-8400 for the Loop campus.
