Some UNC students have safety concerns after being harassed by man at campus watch party
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are questioning campus safety and the university's response after a man entered a classroom during a student gathering Monday night, allegedly harassing attendees and damaging property.
Terynn Ford was among the students attending a "Love Island" watch party in Greenlaw Hall when the incident unfolded.
"We're hiding under, like, desks, and then I'm trying to, like, grab my phone to text my mom," Ford said.
It was just fight or flight.Terynn Ford
According to students, the man, identified by the university as 45-year-old Keagan Wilson, entered the room, sprayed attendees with a substance, threw objects, damaged property and yelled racial slurs. Video recorded outside the building also shows the suspect lunging at students and sparking flames.
"He is guarding one of the exits. And so, for me, I saw him like reaching for something. I didn't know what it was. And so, I in like a split second, it was just fight or flight. And I was like, I just know I need to get out of that room," Ford said.
UNC-Chapel Hill spokesperson said police responded within five minutes of receiving the first call for help. The suspect was taken into custody 10 minutes later.
A university spokesperson said an Alert Carolina notification was not issued because the suspect was already in custody and there was no ongoing threat to campus.
According to UNC-Chapel Hill, officials evaluate each incident to determine whether an Alert Carolina notification is required under the Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data. Factors considered include the nature and circumstances of the incident and whether there is a continuing threat to the community.
Some students disagreed with that decision.
"The fact that he was able to do this to us and then I found out that he was like fighting with some people outside. How is this not a threat?" said Temi Alagbe, who also attended the watch party.
Alagbe said the incident left her questioning campus safety after the suspect was able to enter the building. The university said Greenlaw Hall's doors were locked as of 7 p.m. Monday and that it is unclear how the suspect got inside.
Students said the doors were not locked at 7 p.m. Monday or in the days that followed.
Alagbe said she personally checked the doors.
"That's definitely something they're supposed to be following for our safety," Alagbe said.
Other students called for changes to building access policies.
"I definitely believe that something should change after a certain hour. To get into the dorms. For example, you have to have a tag to scan in to get in. I feel like that should be something that's on all of the buildings," said student Kali Scott who also attended the watch party.
Scott said the experience left many students frightened.
"I genuinely thought I was going to die. I know so many other people who were so scared and there should have been no reason for him to have been able to get into this building," Scott said.
Students who were not at the event also said they were concerned about how the university communicated information about the incident.
"Whenever it's an issue of student safety, that always needs to be reiterated through, you know, campus officials. And you would see as a whole," said Rushil Shah.
"It's a little bit disappointing that the response time from the university was as slow as it was. And I think it's important to have those inputs and keep your students safe," said Aarav Bhaskar.
Nikhil Uchil said he first learned about the incident through a student social platform rather than an official university notification.
"The way the university handled it wasn't great. I think the first I heard about it was on a student platform we have called Yik Yak, and that's where students can chat among themselves. But Alert Carolina generally is used for weather and like safety issues," Uchil said. "And if there's a safety issue in a campus building and they weren't alerting us about it, then what's the use of the platform?"
According to the incident report, the suspect is expected to be charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, and vandalism. He will be trespassed from campus.
Despite the experience, Ford said UNC Police helped her after the incident.
"They let me use their phone to call my parents. They even escorted me back to my dorm and gave me like their business card if I wanted to reach out to them," Ford said.
UNC-Chapel Hill has also listed services available for students affected by the incident and those seeking additional support.
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