Students attacked on Mildred & Goshen St.

San Diego Police Department takes the lead on the investigation 

ABIGAIL CAVIZO / NEWS EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

Last Saturday at around 11:10 p.m., USD Public Safety received a call about an assault on two male, USD students. They were walking in the vicinity of Mildred and Goshen St. when they were attacked by another group of males. The two students were injured and received the medical support they needed from paramedics. Public Safety informed the USD community of the incident through an email sent out the next day. 

The Assistant Vice President for Public Safety, Chief James Miyashiro, explained that after Public Safety received the call, they arrived at the scene with the paramedics already there. Shortly after, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) arrived as well.

“We have direct radio contact with the SDPD, so when they’re responding to calls, we hear what they’re responding to. We end up going there too, especially when it affects our students,” Chief Miyashiro said. “We wanted to identify if those were our students and then find out the hospital, to notify where they’re going.”

Last semester, The USD Vista conducted a one-on-one interview with Chief Miyashiro in regard to crimes that Public Safety has responded to. During this interview, a member of USD’s Public Relations (PR) team sat in on the meeting, listening to the questions and answers. This is a policy enacted by the USD PR Department to oversee student media’s reporting.  Although this assault took place across the street, this was still an off-campus incident.

Since the attack occurred outside Public Safety’s range, Officer Paul Macintyre of SDPD is the lead investigator for this assault and battery case. The investigation is still taking place, so there is some information he could not disclose. 

“We received the radio call of a male down in the middle of the street around 11 p.m. in the intersection of Goshen and Mildred,” Officer Macintyre said. “Paramedics rendered aid to the subject that was down on the ground and transported him to the hospital for further medical treatment because of the injuries sustained.”

He also shared a description of the suspect. 

“The suspect is described as a white male, early 20s, wearing a cowboy hat and a black-and-white flannel,” Officer Macintyre said. “We have yet to identify the suspect.”

Officer Macintyre emphasized that, while this is a serious crime, it was not directed toward these students because they are a part of the USD community. 

“We don’t believe this to be at all directed toward the students specifically,” Officer Macintyre said. “I don’t want to put the [USD] students in fear that people are targeting them specifically, because that is not at all the case with this incident.”

USD junior Ronnie Saenz, a contributor for The USD Vista, lives at the University Terrace Apartments (UTAs), which overlook where the assault took place on Goshen and Mildred St. 

Although Saenz did not see the actual assault, he heard commotion both before and after. 

“I heard an argument around 11 p.m., but I didn’t think anything of it, until it was really quiet and I looked outside my window and saw a group of people around the [person laying] on the street,” Saenz recalled. “It looked like they were calling the police, and a couple minutes later there were sirens and officers putting caution tape around the area.”

The USD Vista will not disclose the names of the victims for safety reasons, as this is an ongoing investigation. 

In a public post on a Facebook group for USD parents, the mother of one of the victims released an update on her son’s condition, urging potential witnesses to come forward.

“My son and his friend were both knocked unconscious.  My son is still in the hospital with multiple facial fractures and a very serious concussion. He may need surgery next week,” she wrote. “Please ask your kids to speak up. We are very lucky that my son does not have permanent brain damage.”

If anyone knows any information about the assault or the suspected assailant, they can contact the Public Safety Department at 619-260-7777 or the San Diego Police Department at 619-531-2000. 

Anonymous tips or information can also be shared at: https://www.sandiego.edu/safety/incident-reporting.php.

Although both SDPD and Public Safety described this assault  as  an  isolated  incident, it is advised that off-campus students still prioritize their safety, especially when they are alone. Chief Miyashiro recommended every student download the app, “Noonlight.” This app is not owned by USD, but is free to download. By holding down on a button on the app, the nearest safety service is notified. If this feature is triggered, the alarm will send emergency services to the user’s location. Student safety, especially for those who live off-campus, is important for students to be aware of.