A Howard University student lay motionless and bloodied outside an on-campus residence hall after being violently attacked by nearly 50 non-Howard affiliated individuals amidst Bison week. A viral video shows one of four students being beaten just after 2 a.m. on August 14, leaving many wondering how safe the university is.

Theo Daniels, member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and president of the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) at Howard University, describes the incident as “harrowing.”

“As someone that stays on campus, it makes it hard to feel safe whenever I leave my dorm. As someone that is part of the Divine Nine, I think it is uber-important that we recognize our proximity to the campus' pulse and do all we can to create a safer Bison community intentionally,” Daniels said.

According to data from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), violent crime has skyrocketed over 38 percent across the D.C. area since last year. The District has also seen a rise in juvenile crime, with arrests increasing by 20 percent in the previous year. The violent incident at Howard was one of few during the week.  

The university conducted a town hall on Aug. 15 to answer questions and ease anxiety around campus safety. One key takeaway was that the juveniles who attacked Howard students are part of a “fight club” that instigates physical attacks in public areas around the city.

Marcus Lyles, chief of HUPD, also announced an additional 1,000 cameras were installed throughout campus, as well as a rise in staff and safety officers around campus residences. As word of the incident spread, the security and concierge that were present have been let go. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) officer who failed to take action during that time has also been released.

DPS also hosted a safety fair on The Yard, which allowed students to address their safety concerns with university faculty and staff. HUPD, MPD, University Counseling, the Office of Interpersonal Violence, and many more offices were in attendance. Students could also learn about various safety topics, participate in live self-defense demonstrations, and receive a Peace of Mind (POM) device, which can call police and text emergency contacts with a button. 

Several campus organizations, such as The Gentlemen of Drew Social Club, Inc. and the Howard University Student Association (HUSA), are taking action against the recent threats. 

“HUSA has been very active as we have been trying to combat conflict and the growing safety concerns that we have been having. We are working with both the Department of Public Safety and the administration on creating a five-point safety plan,” said Murphy Jones, vice president of HUSA.

The five-point safety plan titled ‘The Security Print’ includes security transparency, collaborative efforts with DPS, line of communication, bystander prevention, and mental health resources.  A high-level HUSA official says students can expect the plan to be implemented immediately.

As for the tragic attack, D.C.’s Mayor Bowser announced the execution of a citywide curfew for individuals 17 and under to curb juvenile violence.