Recent Public Safety Incident and Response

October 19, 2025

Dear Johns Hopkins Homewood Community, 

We are writing to provide an update to yesterday’s alert from Johns Hopkins Public Safety regarding the sexual assault of a student on the Decker Quad of the Homewood campus by an unknown individual last evening. The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is investigating this incident as an attempted rape, and a search is underway for the assailant. 

The Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD) and Public Safety are actively working to support the BPD investigation. The university has provided security footage, and we are coordinating with the BPD to release an image of a suspect. We are also working with Metro Crime Stoppers to offer a reward for information leading to an arrest.    

‌According to security footage and witnesses, the suspect was last seen fleeing campus from the Decker Quad in the direction of Bowman Drive, running north, at approximately 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening. If you have any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact BPD detectives at 410-396-2444. 

We know that this is a distressing situation for our community and that it may raise personal safety questions and concerns for you and others. Your safety is our highest priority, and we wanted to reach out today to share important safety and support resources and to let you know what steps we are taking to support our community. 

First, we will continue supporting the BPD investigation, and we greatly appreciate the close and continued partnership of the BPD in this effort. The JHPD, Public Safety, and BPD responded to the Blue Light alert on Saturday evening to assist the victim, interview witnesses, and immediately begin searching for the perpetrator. We added additional patrols on campus overnight, and we are reviewing security footage.   

Second, you will see a more visible public safety and police presence on and near campus, including a combination of Public Safety, JHPD, BPD, and Allied Universal officers patrolling both in vehicles and on foot.  

Third, we encourage you to take advantage of our public safety services and university resources:  

• Our public safety team provides security escort services to students and other affiliates walking to their cars or homes at night, including those who live on campus. You can call 410-516-4600 to request a safety escort. Learn more about security escort services for visits to campuses and hospitals. 
• The free LiveSafe app provides real-time, two-way communication with Johns Hopkins Public Safety officers, 24/7, at the push of a button. We encourage all members of the JHU community to download it. 
• As part of National Crime Prevention Month, JHU is hosting Secure Your Nest: Blue Jay Safety Month, offering students resources and guidance to keep themselves and others safe, increase their situational awareness, and learn tips for staying safe on and off campus. 
• Public Safety also provides crime prevention education and tips to help all members of our community ensure their safety. 
• For emergencies, call 911. 
• For non-emergencies, call Public Safety directly at 677-208-1200 and/or reach us online via email or form. 

We urge you to err on the side of caution and contact Johns Hopkins Public Safety anytime you feel unsafe. 

Finally, we want to ensure you are aware of additional resources to help you and all members of our community stay safe.  

• Remember that being subjected to violence is never your fault. It is the person who engaged in violence that is to blame. 
• The Office of Health Promotion & Well Being’s We Listen, You Decide website compiles confidential resources available to students regarding sexual violence or misconduct, and the Sexual Assault Helpline is available 24/7 at 410-516-7333. We encourage anyone who has experienced violence to seek support using those resources, many of which are also listed at the end of this message.  
• For faculty and staff, the Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program (JHEAP) is available to all employees around the clock, 365 days a year, by phone at 888-978-1262 or online via CCA@YourService – Company Code: JHEAP. 

Staff members from Student Affairs and Student Health and Wellbeing, including our On-Campus Living, Off-Campus Housing, Student Outreach and Support, and Health Promotions teams will be meeting with students over the next week in our residence halls, dining halls, and other campus locations and will continue to be available to meet with students in the weeks ahead.   

Sincerely, 

Branville G. Bard Jr. 

Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police 

Johns Hopkins University and Medicine 

Rachelle Hernandez 

Vice Provost for Student Affairs 

Shanon Shumpert    

Vice Provost for Institutional Equity 

RESOURCES: 

Need support?  We are here for you.  Incidents that affect our community can be upsetting, including for those not directly involved.   

You can contact a Confidential Resource: 

• Students:
  • The We Listen. You Decide. website provides a list and contact information for all confidential JHU resources for students, learners and trainees:  https://wellbeing.jhu.edu/youdecide/   
  • Sexual Assault Help Line. Talk with a counselor for support and resources surrounding sexual assault. At the University, confidential counselors are available 24 hours a day at University’s Sexual Assault Help Line (410-516-7333). 
  • Gender-Based Violence Prevention & Education Team. The GBVP Team is comprised of confidential resources who provide support for JHU students, learners and trainees.  You can reach the team at HopkinsGBVP@jh.edu or 443-927-3548.  
  • Additional confidential resources, including off-campus resources, can be found at https://oie.jhu.edu/confidential-resources/.  
• Employees:
  • Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program (JHEAP) –  You can reach JHEAP 24/7, 365 days a year, by phone at 888-978-1262 or online via CCA@YourService – Company Code: JHEAP    

You can make a report (discreet but non-confidential): 

• Report to Public Safety or Baltimore City Police.  Timely and accurate reporting is critical to crime prevention. Contact Public Safety at 410-516-7777 or Baltimore City Police at 911 immediately to report any suspicious person(s) or activity. You can bring a friend for support in making a report.  
• Title IX Coordinator/Office of Institutional Equity (titleixcoordinator@jhu.edu; (410) 516-8075; Online Report Form).   The University prohibits sexual misconduct which includes sexual and sex-based harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking, as explained in the Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures. You are welcome to bring a friend, family member, or advocate for support when you make a report.