On Sept. 29, the South Orange Police Department (SOPD) arrested an 18-year-old freshman male student in Boland Hall after he allegedly pointed a knife in the direction of an 18-year-old female student, according to a police report The Setonian obtained.
The report said an 18-year-old female freshman, a friend of the 18-year old male student, said she was taking the elevator from the basement of Boland Hall when she noticed four males in the back of the elevator whom she recognized.
She told police she stood near the buttons, pressing one of the floor numbers, when she heard one of the males say, “What’s up [her name].” When she looked up, she saw the 18-year-old male freshman holding a “dark-colored knife” in her direction, according to the police report.
When the elevator reached the 18-year-old female student’s floor, the 18-year-old male freshman put the knife away and told the victim, “I was just joking, I love you.” The 18-year-old female student told police that she was “in fear for her life,” and “stood in shock,” “not knowing how to react.”
When the elevator arrived on her floor, she went to her dorm room, where she informed a friend. Her friend notified building security. The 18-year-old female freshman was not injured and the suspect did not physically harm anyone.
SOPD charged the student with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was sent to the Essex County Correctional Facility and later released.
University Relations (UR) said they have no comment on the 18-year-old male freshman’s whereabouts—his suspension, whether he is living in Boland Hall, or if he will return to SHU.
As previously reported in The Setonian, UR said “the safety and security of all members” of the SHU community “remain paramount.” At this time, UR said they have “no further comment beyond our prior statement.”
“Seton Hall continues to work closely with law enforcement and maintains comprehensive safety measures, including professional Public Safety personnel, card-access residence halls, and around-the-clock monitoring to help ensure a secure campus environment,” UR added.
Public Safety has not conducted bag checks in residence halls, according to Sergio Oliva, associate vice president and director of Public Safety and Security.
“In limited circumstances, the university has undertaken searches in residence halls for health and safety reasons,” UR said.
Students can report crimes to the South Orange Police Department or the SHU Department of Public Safety.
Dominique Mercadante is the Editor in Chief of The Setonian. She can be reached at dominique.mercadante@student.shu.edu.