GPD investigating sexual assault of UF student near campus

Gainesville Police is investigating a sexual assault that happened early Saturday morning.

At about 2 a.m. Saturday, a UF student was walking home from Midtown when a man in a black car called her by name and offered her a ride, according to a University Police Timely Warning emailed to students Saturday.

The man then drove the student north of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, in the 200 block of Northwest 22nd Street, where the assault occurred, according to the email.

UPD Sgt. Walt Hamby said the department sent out the alert to inform students the assault had occurred and to take precautions.

He said the assault should serve as a reminder to students about not walking alone at night.

Hamby said students can install the safety app Gatorsafe for campus safety resources and emergency information.

“We certainly want to make them aware that that’s happened,” he said. “We don’t want anything else like that to happen again.”

Anyone with information about the assault is encouraged to call GPD or text “GPDFL” and the tip to 274637.

Those who want to stay anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 352-372-7867.

Correction:

The original version of the article said the UF safety is called "Tapshield," which is no longer in use. Students should install the new app "Gatorsafe."