Editor’s Note: The following story contains mention of sexual assault that may be disturbing to some readers. This story has been updated with information on UNC Police identifying and charging a suspect.

The UNC Police Department issued an Alert Carolina message Sunday night after receiving a report of sexual assault at McClinton Residence Hall.

The alert to the campus community said police are investigating an incident that reportedly happened around 6:10 p.m., where a suspect followed the victim into McClinton Hall and then its lobby stairwell before groping them. The suspect then left the building by using the lobby stairwell.

The Alert Carolina described the suspect as a male between 18 and 22-years-old with short, curly hair and was wearing sweatpants with a “muted green” shirt. UNC Police issued photos of a person of interest in the case, which were taken from a security camera inside the residence hall on Sunday evening. At 5:26 p.m. on Monday, a second Alert Carolina was issued saying the suspect had been identified and charges had been filed.

Police did not identify the suspect nor victim in the Alert Carolina messages about the sexual assault —which is consistent with university policies regarding student privacy.

Photo via the UNC Police Department.

McClinton Hall — which was previously called Aycock Residence Hall before its name was changed in 2021 due to its prior namesake’s ties to white supremacy — is one of UNC’s mid-campus dorms in the Cobb Community, located off Raleigh Street.

 The university also encouraged all community members to “look out for one another” by being alert to their surroundings and respecting the “rights and boundaries of others.”

Beyond that, UNC cited several resources for community members who have experienced or been emotionally affected by sexual assault to use. Gender Violence Service Coordinators provide confidential support for any campus community member, while Counseling and Psychological Services are available 24 hours a day. The campus’ Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office can also be used to report sexual misconduct and to weigh reporting options, and additional resources can be found on the Safe at UNC website.

While Sunday’s sexual assault report was the first to go out over an Alert Carolina this fall semester, another incident was shared with the campus community days before classes began. UNC Police said on August 7 that a victim reported being raped at the loading dock of the Undergraduate Library and Student Stores the day prior. A spokesperson for the campus police department said Monday that no arrests have been made in that incident.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

 

Related Stories
‹
UNC Cancels Classes After Armed and Dangerous Person Reported; Police Arrest Suspect
The UNC campus community spent more than an hour sheltering in place on Wednesday, as the university issued an emergency alert about an armed person reported on or near campus. UNC issued an “all clear” message to the campus community at 2:10 p.m., saying normal operations could be resumed after the university’s police department said […]
String of Vehicle Break-Ins Leads UNC Police to Issue Alert
After a series of vehicle break-ins on campus, the UNC Police Department issued a warning to the university’s community Tuesday about securing their valuables and locking their cars. The university department issued an Alert Carolina message on Tuesday morning to inform students, faculty and staff about a string of incidents at the Dogwood Parking Deck […]
UNC Police: 'Multiple' Scooter, Bike Thefts on Reported Campus in October
At least seven reports of stolen e-scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes in the month of October led UNC Police to issue a campus-wide alert.
UNC Warns of Vehicle Break-Ins at SECU Family House, Friday Center Park and Ride
A string of vehicle break-ins reported at two university properties in Chapel Hill led UNC Police to alert the public on Wednesday afternoon.
A Year Removed From Shooting, UNC Continues Its Safety Response While Trial is Pending
Wednesday marks a sobering anniversary for the UNC community as, one year ago, professor Zijie Yan was shot and killed within a research lab.
Police: String of Vehicle Break-Ins Reported at UNC
A recent rash of vehicle break-ins led the UNC Police Department to issue an Alert Carolina to the campus community on Wednesday.
North Carolina Court Throws Out Conviction of Man With Guns Inside Car on Campus
An appeals court said a North Carolina man living in his car was wrongfully convicted when he parked near UNC Hospitals in 2021.
Palestine Supporters Rally at UNC Leads to Suspension of Classes, Non-Mandatory Operations
UNC campus moved to Condition 2 shortly after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, suspending all non-mandatory operations and cancelling all remaining classes as a rally of pro-Palestine demonstrators developed into a broader struggle with campus police over the flagpole at Polk Place. !Alert Carolina! Adverse Conditions – Critical: UNC in Condition 2; 3-11:59pm today. Classes canceled. […]
String of Vehicle Break-Ins Reported to UNC Police in Last 24 Hours
The UNC Police Department is investigating more than a dozen vehicle break-ins reported since Tuesday, with the locations spanning across several campus parking lots and off-campus buildings. An Alert Carolina was sent to the campus community at 1:09 p.m. on Wednesday to share details about the break-ins and warn of any similar threats. University police […]
UNC Police Identify, Charge Suspect After Sexual Assault Report
UNC Police issued an Alert Carolina Sunday night after receiving a report of sexual assault at McClinton Residence Hall.
›