Lincoln University students walk to spread awareness after crime near campus

Lincoln University campus was locked down after someone flashed a gun near one of the dorms Monday afternoon.

Campus officials were saddened by the news, as they were hoping to spread a message of peace.

“It’s very concerning to us that they are not able to just walk here, within the area, without having to fear”, said Director of University Relations Misty Young.

Where dozens of students walked Monday is where one student was robbed.

“A gentleman, a Lincoln student, was walking back from Break Time on Clark Avenue and Dunklin Street back toward the Lincoln campus, when he was walking back he was struck on the back of a head with a firearm and fell down. He had a gun put to his head when they said, ‘give me your wallet, give me your cell phone'” said Captain Doug Shoemaker with the Jefferson City Police Department.

Captain Shoemaker also said that area is typically safe, but when something happens to a student, awareness is raised. He said within the last two years there have been three robberies, a handful of simple assaults, and some burglaries, but “other than that it’s not what we would at all call a high crime area.”

“We have over 850 students that live here on our campus and so, the store, convenience stores in gas stations that are within walking distance that’s where they go to get soda and things like that, supplies in case they are not able to get to a big grocery store, so they do walk right up the street”, said Young.

While many walked peacefully down the sidewalks around the Lincoln University campus Monday, they’re all hoping that they’ll be able to continue doing that in the future, whether they’re alone or not.

“We are going to find out who you are and we are going to make sure our students are safe and that our neighbors are safe, it’s not just about the Lincoln University community, it’s anybody that lives along this route, we just want to make sure that people understand that we want them to be safe in this area”, said Young.

Police have not yet arrested any of the three male suspects involved with the gas station robbery and assault, nor the man who flashed a gun on campus today.

Police are asking anyone with any information to contact local authorities.