Police need help finding men involved in racist attack on Lehigh University student[UPDATE]

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UPDATE: Police are asking for help in locating two men involved in a racist attack that happened Saturday morning near Lehigh University.

Bethlehem Police said two white men attacked a 22-year-old Black Lehigh University student around 3 a.m. in the New Street and Morton Street area of ​​the city’s southern district. Police said the attackers also made racist remarks to the victim before the attack.

One of the men is around 20 to 25 years old, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in tall, and has dark hair, according to a post shared by the police department on Facebook. Police did not give a description of the second man.

Police say the victim first noticed the men when one of the attackers called out the victim using an offensive and malicious statement regarding the victims’ race. Police said the two men then cornered the victim and one of them began punching him, causing his lips to cut and swell. The victim went to nearby friends after the attack and called the police, police said.

When police arrived at the scene, the attackers were gone, police said.

Lehigh University first notified its campus of the incident on Saturday evening. University President Joseph Helble condemned the incident and encouraged students and staff who may feel unsafe to seek help.

Many will understandably feel disturbed following this incident. I want to assure all of our students, especially our students of color, of our commitment to your safety and well-being. I am committed to providing you with a safe and supportive environment. Racism, hatred, verbal and physical abuse have no place at Lehigh, university president Joseph Helble said in the email.

The Bethlehem Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed this offense or anyone with information about the subjects involved to contact 610-865-7000 or [email protected].

INITIAL REPORT: Bethlehem Police are investigating a racist attack that occurred Saturday near the Lehigh University campus, according to the college’s president.

A Black Lehigh student was assaulted by two white assailants who also hurled racist language at him, according to a notification sent around 6:50 p.m. by the college. The incident happened off campus, a university spokesperson said.

Bethlehem police said on Sunday they were not yet authorized to speak about the incident and could not confirm exact details of the attack.

The college said the Bethlehem Police Department will investigate the incident with the support of Lehigh University police and university staff while the student continues to recover.

Many will understandably feel disturbed following this incident. I want to assure all of our students, especially our students of color, of our commitment to your safety and well-being. I am committed to providing you with a safe and supportive environment. Racism, hatred, verbal and physical abuse have no place at Lehigh, university president Joseph Helble said in the email.

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Glenn Epps can be reached at [email protected] or glenn_epps_on Twitter.

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