The hashtag campaign #ExplainIowa began today, demanding an explanation from University of Iowa officials for their lag time in issuing a crime alert following a reported assault. The alleged assault occurred on Saturday, Apr. 30 and was not reported to Iowa City Police Department until Monday, May 2. The University of Iowa did not issue a crime alert until the morning of Wednesday, May 4.
The UIPD is working closely with ICPD to investigate the matter for the purpose of pursuing criminal charges. #explainIowa
— University of Iowa (@uiowa) May 4, 2016
The alleged assault occurred in the alleyway of the 200 block of Iowa Avenue between 10 and 11 p.m. The victim, Marcus Owens, an African-American first-year student from Naperville, Ill., said he was beaten by three white men and that during the attack they called him racial slurs. The UIPD are currently investigating this case as a hate crime.
Tom Rocklin says Marcus Owens and his family requested to meet with @uiowa president Bruce Harreld #ExplainIowa
— The Daily Iowan (@TheDailyIowan) May 4, 2016
Owens said he believes one of the men is a student at the UI.
UI spokesperson Jeneane Beck said the school first learned of the incident on late Tuesday afternoon and UI Police issued a Crime Alert on Wednesday morning after receiving details from an ICPD report.
