Colle Carpenter (Long Beach Press-Telegram) |
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LONG BEACH -- A 27-year-old transgender graduate student attacked in a Cal State University Long Beach restroom is speaking out about the ordeal.
Colle Carpenter spoke at a 'Take Back the Night' event on campus Thursday, saying he was "terrified" to return to the campus following the incident.
Carpenter classifies the attack as a hate crime and says the suspect carved the word "it" on his chest.
Carpenter says the word "it" is so derogatory because, "it takes away a person's humanity."
He said his assailant knew his name, pulled his T-shirt over his head and pushed him into a bathroom stall around 9:30 p.m. on April 15. The suspect then slashed Carpenter's chest and fled.
Carpenter said the attack happened not just to him, but to the community.
"Those of us that are visibly queer, those of us that are out about being queer are scared," Carpenter said.
Carpenter praised the university for its support and said officials waited a week to release a sketch of the suspect at his request because he "needed some time."
"The campus police have made every effort to conduct a thorough investigation and have been especially concerned with respecting my wishes for privacy and for ensuring my safety," he said.
"I'm aware the university has come under criticism regarding communication and response in general, but again, I feel that the administration's response has been focused on the investigation and my well- being."
Investigators believe the attack was an isolated incident.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s, 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build and dark colored hair. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt with dark khaki shorts.
University police are asking anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Leyva of the CSULB-UPD at (562) 985-4101.
Colle Carpenter spoke at a 'Take Back the Night' event on campus Thursday, saying he was "terrified" to return to the campus following the incident.
Carpenter classifies the attack as a hate crime and says the suspect carved the word "it" on his chest.
Carpenter says the word "it" is so derogatory because, "it takes away a person's humanity."
He said his assailant knew his name, pulled his T-shirt over his head and pushed him into a bathroom stall around 9:30 p.m. on April 15. The suspect then slashed Carpenter's chest and fled.
Carpenter said the attack happened not just to him, but to the community.
"Those of us that are visibly queer, those of us that are out about being queer are scared," Carpenter said.
Carpenter praised the university for its support and said officials waited a week to release a sketch of the suspect at his request because he "needed some time."
"The campus police have made every effort to conduct a thorough investigation and have been especially concerned with respecting my wishes for privacy and for ensuring my safety," he said.
"I'm aware the university has come under criticism regarding communication and response in general, but again, I feel that the administration's response has been focused on the investigation and my well- being."
Investigators believe the attack was an isolated incident.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s, 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build and dark colored hair. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt with dark khaki shorts.
University police are asking anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Leyva of the CSULB-UPD at (562) 985-4101.
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