UH student reports sexual assault during campus tailgate

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A University of Houston student was reportedly sexually assaulted on campus. UH police say they believe they know who the alleged attacker is. Investigators say the incident was in public at a tailgating event near TDECU Stadium.             

With dozens of students celebrating near the stadium before the UH Cougars football game on Thursday, one student told campus officers she was among the tailgaters when a man walked up behind her at around 6 p.m. She says he went underneath her dress, sexually attacking her.

“It's definitely disturbing,” says UH student Easton Lingo.

”That's not OK just to think you can go and do that,” says another student.

”It's definitely a thing that happens on campus too much," adds Lingo. "One time is too much. I think something that can prevent it is awareness, just an understanding of how far is too far.”  

Some people who were gathered near the stadium told UH police that they believe they recognize the woman's attacker and have given police his name. They say he's around 20 years old and was wearing a black UH polo-style shirt.  

Some students say they won't feel safe until he's caught and they've been telling other students not to walk alone. 

”You know, take friends with you, walk with friends,” says one student.                      

There were 12 reports of rape at University of Houston and 15 fondling complaints in 2016. Statistics for 2017 are not yet available.