Campus Alert Archive
U-M

Student assaulted after being asked his religion; investigated as ethnic intimidation

AI-generated · every claim is source-linked
MIaggravated assaultadvisoryhigh confidence
Compare →
Under Investigation

At approximately 12:30 a.m. EDT on September 15, 2024, a 19-year-old Jewish University of Michigan student was assaulted near S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street after a group of men asked his religion and he answered. The Ann Arbor Police Department investigated the attack as a 'bias-motivated assault' and 'ethnic intimidation', and U-M's Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) issued a Security Bulletin two days later condemning the attack.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
1
Institution
University of Michigan
Public R1 · MI
All U-M cases →
~52,065 studentsRaveDPSS Security Bulletin
Official alert policy
Read when and how U-M says it will use U-M Emergency Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatim2379 chars
Security Bulletin: Ethnic Intimidation – Aggravated Assault This Security Bulletin has been updated to include the Chief of Police’s statement on 9/16 at 1:40 p.m. The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) was notified this afternoon that the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) is investigating an alleged assault incident that occurred in the area of S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street on September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m. The victim stated they were walking with friends, and was asked what their religious affiliation was by the suspects. After answering, the suspects assaulted the victim and then fled the area on foot. This is an ongoing investigation and details are still being confirmed. If you have any information, please contact the AAPD tip line at 734.794.6939 or email tips@a2gov.org. You can also call DPSS at 734.763.1131. Safety and Security Tips: • Look assertive and be aware of your surroundings. • Trust your intuition. If a particular situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative. • Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas. • If you feel threatened, look for a blue light emergency phone or call 911 from any phone. • If you see something, say something. Report suspicious behavior. Call 911 • Confidential Tip Line 1-800-863-1355. Statement from the University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD) Chief of Police Crystal James: “As an update to the Ann Arbor Police Department’s (AAPD) investigation, the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) condemns ethnic intimidation to the highest degree. This past weekend, a Jewish member of our community reported being a victim of antisemitism when assaulted by a group of individuals. DPSS continues leveraging all available resources and is working closely with our AAPD partners and others across the campus to support the investigation and ensure the safety of our university and surrounding areas. There is no place for hate crimes or violence within our community, and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to hold those responsible accountable. It is important that anyone with information regarding the assault contact the AAPD tip line at 734.794.6939, email tips@a2gov.org, or call DPSS at 734.763.1131. Additionally, if you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate crime, contact 911, AAPD, or DPSS immediately.”
Verify this quote
U-M DPSS Security Bulletinnews.dpss.umich.edufind archived copies
Corrected to exact Chief of Police statement as published on the official DPSS security bulletin (including curly quotation marks)
Bulletin updated 9/16/2024 at 1:40 p.m. to include this statement
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Security Bulletin: Ethnic Intimidation – Aggravated Assault This Security Bulletin has been updated to include the Chief of Police’s statement on 9/16 at 1:40 p.m. The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) was notified this afternoon that the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) is investigating an alleged assault incident that occurred in the area of S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street on September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m. The victim stated they were walking with friends, and was asked what their religious affiliation was by the suspects. After answering, the suspects assaulted the victim and then fled the area on foot. This is an ongoing investigation and details are still being confirmed. If you have any information, please contact the AAPD tip line at 734.794.6939 or email tips@a2gov.org. You can also call DPSS at 734.763.1131. Safety and Security Tips: • Look assertive and be aware of your surroundings. • Trust your intuition. If a particular situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative. • Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas. • If you feel threatened, look for a blue light emergency phone or call 911 from any phone. • If you see something, say something. Report suspicious behavior. Call 911 • Confidential Tip Line 1-800-863-1355. Statement from the University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD) Chief of Police Crystal James: “As an update to the Ann Arbor Police Department’s (AAPD) investigation, the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) condemns ethnic intimidation to the highest degree. This past weekend, a Jewish member of our community reported being a victim of antisemitism when assaulted by a group of individuals. DPSS continues leveraging all available resources and is working closely with our AAPD partners and others across the campus to support the investigation and ensure the safety of our university and surrounding areas. There is no place for hate crimes or violence within our community, and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to hold those responsible accountable. It is important that anyone with information regarding the assault contact the AAPD tip line at 734.794.6939, email tips@a2gov.org, or call DPSS at 734.763.1131. Additionally, if you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate crime, contact 911, AAPD, or DPSS immediately.”

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: the bulletin names the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS), the Ann Arbor Police Department, and quotes UMPD Chief of Police Crystal James by name.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Issued by 'The Division of Public Safety and Security' and Chief Crystal James.
    2. present: 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and AAPD named
    3. present: Issued by DPSS (Division of Public Safety and Security) and UMPD Chief of Police statement.
    4. present: 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and 'AAPD' identified as issuing/investigating agencies.
    5. present: DPSS and AAPD are named as issuing agencies.
    6. present: Identifies 'DPSS', 'AAPD', and 'UMPD Chief of Police'.
    7. present: 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and 'Ann Arbor Police Department' clearly identified.
    8. present: Names 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and 'Chief of Police Crystal James'.
    9. present: Identifies 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and Chief of Police Crystal James.
    10. present: 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and 'UMPD Chief of Police' named.
    11. present: Issued by DPSS, with a statement from UMPD Chief of Police.
    12. present: 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and 'Ann Arbor Police Department' identify the agencies.
    13. present: 'The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and 'Chief of Police Crystal James' named.
    14. present: Issued by DPSS and cites the AAPD and UMPD Chief of Police.
    15. present: Identifies DPSS, AAPD, and UMPD Chief of Police Crystal James as issuers.
    16. present: Issued by 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' with a statement from the 'Chief of Police'.
    17. present: 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and 'AAPD' named.
    18. present: Identifies 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and quotes 'Chief of Police Crystal James'.
    19. present: Identified as 'DPSS' and 'AAPD', with a chief of police statement.
    20. present: 'Division of Public Safety and Security' and 'AAPD' identify issuing agencies.
    21. present: Issued by 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and quotes 'Chief of Police Crystal James'.
    22. present: Identifies 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and 'Ann Arbor Police Department'
    23. present: Issued by 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and quotes 'UMPD Chief of Police'.
    24. present: Identifies 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and Chief of Police statement.
    25. present: Issued by 'Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS)' and Chief of Police Crystal James.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: the bulletin explicitly labels the offense 'Ethnic Intimidation - Aggravated Assault.'

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Names an 'assault incident' with ethnic intimidation.
    2. present: 'assault incident'/'ethnic intimidation' named
    3. present: States 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault'.
    4. present: 'Ethnic Intimidation - Aggravated Assault' explicitly named.
    5. present: Names 'assault incident'.
    6. present: Names 'Ethnic Intimidation - Aggravated Assault'.
    7. present: 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault' names specific offense.
    8. present: States 'Ethnic Intimidation - Aggravated Assault'.
    9. present: States 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault.'
    10. present: 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault' named.
    11. present: Names 'assault incident' and 'ethnic intimidation'.
    12. present: Names 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault.'
    13. present: 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault.'
    14. present: States 'an alleged assault incident'.
    15. present: States 'ethnic intimidation - aggravated assault' specifically.
    16. present: States 'assault incident', ethnic intimidation.
    17. present: 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault' names the hazard.
    18. present: States 'alleged assault incident' with ethnic intimidation.
    19. present: States 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault'.
    20. present: 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault' names specific offense.
    21. present: Names 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault'.
    22. present: States 'Ethnic Intimidation , Aggravated Assault'
    23. present: Describes 'Ethnic Intimidation - Aggravated Assault'.
    24. present: States 'Ethnic Intimidation - Aggravated Assault'.
    25. present: States 'Ethnic Intimidation - Aggravated Assault'.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: the area of S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street is named specifically.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    2. present: 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street' named
    3. present: Names S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street.
    4. present: 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street' specified.
    5. present: Names S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street.
    6. present: Gives 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    7. present: 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street' given.
    8. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    9. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street.'
    10. present: 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street' named.
    11. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    12. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street.'
    13. present: 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street.'
    14. present: Names 'area of S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    15. present: Names area of S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street.
    16. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    17. present: 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street' named.
    18. present: Gives 'area of S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    19. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    20. present: 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street' gives specific location.
    21. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    22. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'
    23. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    24. present: Names 'S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
    25. present: Names 'area of S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street'.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: the bulletin lists concrete safety tips (look assertive, walk with a friend, use a blue light phone or call 911), all protective actions.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Gives tips like 'Look assertive' and 'call 911 from any phone'.
    2. present: 'Look assertive and be aware of your surroundings' safety tips
    3. present: Provides safety tips like being aware and calling 911.
    4. present: Safety tips like 'Look assertive' and 'call 911' are protective actions.
    5. present: Provides safety tips like looking assertive and using blue light phones.
    6. present: Provides safety tips like being aware and calling 911.
    7. present: 'Look assertive', 'Walk with a friend', 'call 911' are protective actions.
    8. present: Lists tips like 'Trust your intuition' and 'call 911'.
    9. present: Provides safety tips like looking assertive and using blue light phones.
    10. present: Safety tips like 'Look assertive...call 911 from any phone.'
    11. present: Safety tips include looking assertive and walking with a friend.
    12. present: Tips include 'look for a blue light emergency phone or call 911.'
    13. present: 'Look assertive and be aware of your surroundings.'
    14. present: Lists safety tips like looking assertive and using blue light phones.
    15. present: Provides safety tips like looking assertive, walking with a friend, calling 911.
    16. present: Lists tips like 'Look assertive' and 'call 911'.
    17. present: Safety tips like 'look for a blue light emergency phone or call 911'.
    18. present: Advises 'Look assertive', 'walk with a friend', 'call 911'.
    19. present: Gives safety tips like 'Look assertive' and 'call 911'.
    20. present: 'Look assertive and be aware', 'call 911' give protective actions.
    21. present: Lists tips like 'Look assertive' and 'call 911'.
    22. present: Provides safety tips like 'Look assertive' and 'call 911'
    23. present: Advises 'Look assertive', 'walk with a friend', 'call 911'.
    24. present: Lists tips like 'look assertive' and 'call 911'.
    25. present: Advises 'Look assertive', 'Walk with a friend', 'call 911'.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: the bulletin gives the specific date and time, September 15, 2024 at approximately 12:30 a.m.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'.
    2. present: 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    3. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    4. present: 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.' given.
    5. present: States September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.
    6. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    7. present: 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.' given.
    8. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'.
    9. present: States 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    10. present: 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    11. present: Gives September 15, 2024, approximately 12:30 a.m.
    12. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    13. present: 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    14. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'.
    15. present: Gives date and time 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    16. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    17. present: 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.' given.
    18. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    19. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    20. present: 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.' gives specific date/time.
    21. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'.
    22. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    23. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    24. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
    25. present: Gives 'September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m.'
  • Impactabsent2/25

    Final assessment

    Near-unanimous (23 of 25): the bulletin describes the assault and condemns it morally but never states an ongoing danger or potential harm to recipients; two dissenting reads pointed to 'assaulted the victim' as conveying harm, but that describes the past act rather than forward-looking risk.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: No stated consequence beyond the assault itself.
    2. absent: describes assault but no explicit stated severity/consequence to readers
    3. absent: Describes the assault occurring but no explicit statement of potential harm or severity beyond that.
    4. absent: No stated potential harm or severity beyond describing the assault occurred.
    5. absent: No stated potential future harm.
    6. absent: No stated severity beyond the described assault.
    7. absent: No stated potential harm beyond describing the assault itself.
    8. absent: Describes the assault but no explicit statement of ongoing danger to recipients.
    9. absent: Describes the assault occurring but no stated ongoing severity or risk conveyed.
    10. absent: No explicit statement of ongoing danger/consequence beyond condemning the incident.
    11. absent: No stated consequence or severity beyond naming the offense.
    12. absent: Describes the assault occurring but no explicit statement of ongoing danger.
    13. absent: Describes assault occurring but no stated ongoing risk or severity beyond the act.
    14. absent: No explicit statement of potential harm to recipients.
    15. absent: Condemns the act morally but does not state ongoing danger or potential harm to recipients.
    16. absent: No explicit statement of harm beyond describing the assault.
    17. present: 'the suspects assaulted the victim' explicitly conveys harm.
    18. absent: No explicit statement of potential harm or severity to recipients beyond describing the assault.
    19. absent: Describes the assault but no explicit statement of ongoing danger or severity.
    20. present: 'suspects assaulted the victim' conveys harm.
    21. absent: No explicit statement of severity beyond describing the assault.
    22. absent: No explicit statement of ongoing danger or potential harm beyond describing the incident
    23. absent: No explicit statement of future potential harm or severity conveyed.
    24. absent: No explicit statement of forward-looking danger or severity.
    25. absent: No stated potential future harm, describes past assault only.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

The University of Michigan, a public R1 university in Ann Arbor with approximately 52,000 students, has one of the largest Jewish student populations in the Big Ten. In the early hours of September 15, 2024, a 19-year-old Jewish student was walking with friends in the South University area when a group of men approached and asked his religion; when he answered, the men threw him to the ground, kicked him, and spat on him before fleeing on foot. The Ann Arbor Police Department classified the incident as a 'bias-motivated assault' and ethnic intimidation and the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security issued a Security Bulletin condemning the attack. The case became a national flashpoint as the ADL offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The incident occurred against the backdrop of the 2023-24 academic-year surge in campus antisemitic violence (Michigan was already under federal investigation for its handling of antisemitism complaints) and the alert language is notable for its restraint: U-M characterized the assault as ethnic intimidation but did not invoke the Clery 'timely warning' classification, instead using DPSS's advisory Security Bulletin channel.
Analysis

Key Findings

U-M's DPSS used the Security Bulletin (advisory) channel rather than a formal Clery timely warning, institutional choice that affected legal classification
The bulletin's word 'ethnic intimidation' references Michigan's hate-crime statute (MCL 750.147b) rather than federal hate-crime language
The 2-day delay between incident (Sept 15 ~12:30 a.m. EDT) and bulletin (~Sept 17) reflects coordination with AAPD
AAPD (not DPSS) was the lead investigator because the assault occurred off the university footprint; this divided jurisdiction is reflected in the bulletin's tip-line guidance
The bulletin omits suspect description, location, and time, unusually brief structure for a U-M public-safety communication
The case occurred during a documented surge in campus antisemitic violence: the ADL reported 28 assaults on Jewish students nationwide in the 2023-24 academic year
Outcome
The 19-year-old student suffered minor injuries (bruising and abrasions) and did not require hospitalization. The Mizel Family Foundation pledged $5,000 toward information leading to arrest; an anonymous Michigan donor matched, bringing the reward to $10,000. The Ann Arbor Police Department continued investigating; no public arrest has been announced.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    Security Bulletin 09/15/24: Ethnic Intimidation & Aggravated Assault [Updated] — U-M DPSS
    dpss.umich.edu
    archived copy
  2. News
    U of Michigan condemns assault of Jewish student on campus — Jewish Telegraphic Agency
    jta.org
    archived copy
  3. Student Paper
    AAPD reports bias-motivated assault against Jewish individual — Michigan Daily
    michigandaily.com
    archived copy
  4. Source
    ADL Condemns Attack on University of Michigan Jewish Student; Offers $10,000 Reward — ADL
    adl.org
    archived copy
  5. Source
    University of Michigan — ADL Campus Antisemitism Report Card
    adl.org
    archived copy
  6. News
    Jewish student attacked in Michigan after being asked his ethnicity — Times of Israel
    timesofisrael.com
    archived copy
  7. Official
    Security Bulletin: Ethnic Intimidation – Aggravated Assault (UPDATED) — news.dpss
    news.dpss.umich.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "University of Michigan: Student assaulted after being asked his religion; investigated as ethnic intimidation." Incident of September 15, 2024. Added May 2026; last updated July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/university-of-michigan-ethnic-intimidation-jewish-student-2024-09-15/

Download case JSON

Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
hate-crimeantisemitismaggravated-assaultethnic-intimidationuniversity-of-michiganmichiganann-arbordpsssecurity-bulletinjewish-student-violencepost-october-7Under Investigation
Added May 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion