WESTWOOD—On Saturday, October 19, the UCLA Police Department reported they are investigating a hate crime and battery that transpired off campus.
At approximately 12:45 a.m., five UCLA students were seated on a bus bench outside of Chick Fil-A. As a dark colored SUV with three occupants drove past them, the driver yelled an ethnic slur, and the front passenger threw an open water bottle which struck one of the victims.
The driver was described as a Caucasian male in his 20s with blond hair. The front passenger in the vehicle was a Caucasian or Asian male in his 20s. He had dark hair and was wearing a white t-shirt. In the rear seat, there was a Caucasian or Asian male.
The victims are UCLA students. The UCLA Police Department would like to remind the campus community to:
- Dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
- For non-emergencies, program the UCLA PD 24-hour phone number into your cell phone – 310-825-1491.
- Always be alert and aware of your surroundings.
- Report any suspicious activity to the police.
- Do not leave doors to buildings propped open.
- Secure your residence by locking all windows and doors.
- Avoid poorly lit or deserted areas when walking at night.
- Utilize the UCLA Safe Ride Service and UCPD CSO evening escorts.
By Trevor