A University of Florida student reported being followed, subjected to racist and homophobic slurs, and physically assaulted while returning to campus shortly after midnight. The student detailed the encounter in a September 18 post on the university’s subreddit under the heading “Wawa Hatecrime Incident,” seeking help from the public to identify the individual involved. According to the post, the student had been studying at Marston Science Library, stopped at a Wawa for food, and began walking back toward campus past midnight on Thursday, September 17.
A man allegedly approached the student, recorded a selfie video, and directed anti-Indian and homophobic slurs at him while following him. The student stated that the man stepped in front of him as he tried to cross the street and pushed him hard enough to make him stumble backward. The assailant continued following the student, threatened to look inside his backpack, and told him to kill himself, leaving the student fearing for his life. Although the student mentioned the man was “impersonating someone from Theta Chi” in the video, investigations found no evidence that the individual was actually a fraternity member.
Official University Crime Log and Investigation:
The student’s account is supported in significant part by an official entry in the University of Florida’s public crime log. UF Public Safety recorded an incident at 12:17 a.m. on September 17 on the main campus as a “Hate Crime – Simple Assault” with a bias category of “National Origin”. The incident was reported to a campus security authority at 2:04 a.m. and entered into the log on September 22, closely matching the timing and location described by the student. As of September 27, the identity of the person in the recording and whether any criminal charges or arrests resulted remain unverified by public sources.
Broader Campus Safety Concerns:
The incident has sparked extensive online discussion within the UF community, gathering hundreds of upvotes and community efforts to help identify the suspect. This event coincides with broader safety concerns raised earlier in September by students and parents, who reported multiple incidents involving individuals unaffiliated with the university around the Gainesville campus at night. Under the federal Clery Act, the University of Florida maintains a public crime log, typically recording entries within two business days unless doing so jeopardizes an active investigation or personal safety.
