Police say a sexual assault was reported on the campus of Johnson County Community College on Tuesday and the suspect is still on the loose.
Investigators say the assault was reported around 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
The male victim told police he was sexually assaulted by a man inside a bathroom on the third floor of the Carlsen Center, which houses performing arts on campus.
Many students told 41 Action News that they received an emergency response text alerting them of the crime.
Others said their professors told them about the incident.
"He made us stop what we were doing and he let us know that there was a sexual assault and that you need to be careful whenever you leave the shop," explained Nate Mead, who was in a theater shop class at the time the assault was reported.
Students also said campus officers were closely monitoring the building following the crime.
"Walking in there (the Carlsen Center), the police were all around the front lobby trying to make sure that everything that could be done got done," said student Ian Wallace.
A campus spokesperson told 41 Action News that the campus police headquarters are also inside the Carlsen Center.
With the crime happening just two floors above law enforcement, students said they were shocked at the incident.
"I think it's awful that this thing can happen on a school campus," said Wallace. "I don't think it should really happen anywhere, but least of all on a campus."
Police said a campus-wide search for the suspect proved unsuccessful and they now believe he left campus sometime after the crime.
Investigators describe the suspect as:
- A white man
- Height: 5'7" - 5'8"
- Wearing a green baseball hat at the time of the incident
Anyone with information is asked to call JCCC police at 913-469-2500.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
