Metropolitan State University is stepping up security on its St. Paul campus after a “racially motivated physical assault” was reported Wednesday afternoon, school officials said in an email to students.
A man was sitting on the steps outside the university’s New Main building near East Seventh Street and Maria Avenue about 1:45 p.m., when the suspect approached him from behind and asked him where he was from and why he was in this country, according to Sgt. Mike Ernster, a spokesman for the St. Paul Police Department.
The suspect then struck the man on the left side of his face, knocking off his glasses and leaving his eye cut and swollen, Ernster said. After the assault, the suspect walked west on Seventh Street and into Swede Hollow Park.
“It concerns us when anyone is assaulted, but it is even more concerning when they are assaulted due to their ethnicity,” Ernster said in an email. “Thankfully, these assaults are rare.”
Metro State identified the man who was struck as a “member” of the university, but did not specify whether he was a student or a staff member.
As of Wednesday night, investigators had not yet located the suspect. He is described as white with gray hair, in his 40s and between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall. He was wearing a white T-shirt and yellow pants.
Metro State security staff and St. Paul police said they are planning extra patrols around campus for the foreseeable future.
