Police: Man tries to assault MassArt student

BOSTON -- Boston Police are searching for the man who is suspected of attacking a woman inside a building at the Mass. College of Art.

Investigators said the man, seen in surveillance pictures, attacked the victim Friday afternoon in the middle of Thanksgiving break.

“I think that was mainly the reason why it happened because it was Thanksgiving weekend, most of the kids are gone so that is probably the reason why he did it then,” said Nicholas Moura, a student.

“She was on the main campus working on one of the floors in the Tower Building,” said Darlene Gillan, the director of communications.

According to school officials, she was on the 6th floor of that building in a classroom that requires a keycard to be swiped to get into the room.

Authorities said that the suspect then tried to sexually assault her. When she fought back, he ran away. She was not seriously hurt.

Students believe the area is safe, but said there is cause for some concern.

“It is mostly college kids around this area, but it is Boston, it’s a big city, things happen everywhere,” said Jamie Robertson.

“It’s where we go to school. It’s where we are. No one wants to think about something like that happening around where we are. We think of this as a safe area and this kind of stuff happening just makes you feel not safe,” said Alex Simes.

Police said the suspect had no business being in any of the buildings on campus during the holiday. The suspect may not be a student.

“It’s just unsettling knowing that people can get in to our building at any time apparently,” said Cameron Leandri, a student.

“It’s kind of sad that someone could just walk in, not check in with security at the desk and walk up to whatever floor they want,” Severo Covian, a student.

According to school officials, the building should have been locked, but whether or not it was locked remains unknown.

“Public safety does all that it can to make sure that we’re safe, but that can only go so far. They can’t be in every room on every floor. You really just have to be self-aware. I think that’s what I’ve realized,” said Jessica Darling, a student.

The school sent out a campus-wide e-mail to inform students of the situation.

Police said the victim is doing fine and is back at the school.

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