Campus Alert Archive
Penn State

Person filmed a student in a union restroom, struck the victim when confronted, and fled

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Confirmed Threat

On February 16, 2023, Penn State University Police received a report of stalking at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB) on the University Park campus, where a student reported an unknown person appeared to have video recorded them inside a restroom. When the victim returned to the same restroom, the same behavior occurred; the victim confronted the suspect and was struck in the face before the suspect fled. The case (23UP00619) is published in Penn State's centralized timely-warning archive.

Alerts
1
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Pennsylvania State University, University Park
Public R1 · PA
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~50,028 studentsRave Mobile SafetyPSUAlert
Official alert policy
Read when and how Penn State says it will use PSUAlert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatimPenn State Timely Warnings (timelywarnings.psu.edu), University Park campus, case 23UP006191141 chars
Stalking - VAWA has occurred at University Park Case Number: 23UP00619 University Police received a report of stalking at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB). A student victim reported that an unknown person appeared to have video recorded them inside the restroom. After time passed, the victim returned to the same restroom and the same behavior occurred. The victim confronted the suspect and was struck in the face, before the suspect fled the area. Police are investigating. It can be assumed that conditions continue to exist that may pose a threat to members and guests of the University community. This warning is being issued in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA). This warning addresses a report of sexual misconduct. Resources are available on and off campus to provide assistance: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/get-urgent-help. Members of the campus community are urged to use caution. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Penn State University Police at (814) 863-1111.
Penn State University Park is the flagship campus with ~50,000 students; the HUB is the busiest non-academic building on campus
The incident escalates from covert recording (a stalking course-of-conduct) into physical assault, illustrating why stalking warnings flag a continuing threat
The case is dual-classified by Penn State as 'Stalking - VAWA' but the warning text also references sexual misconduct resources, reflecting overlap between stalking and sex-offense reporting
Penn State's standardized continuing-threat language ('It can be assumed that conditions continue to exist') is the bright-line trigger for VAWA warnings system-wide
The HUB-Robeson Center is a flagship Clery-geography location, incidents there reliably produce timely warnings
Restroom-based covert-recording stalking is a specific pattern increasingly reported on campuses; SPARC has flagged it as a rising stalking modality
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Stalking - VAWA has occurred at University Park Case Number: 23UP00619 University Police received a report of stalking at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB). A student victim reported that an unknown person appeared to have video recorded them inside the restroom. After time passed, the victim returned to the same restroom and the same behavior occurred. The victim confronted the suspect and was struck in the face, before the suspect fled the area. Police are investigating. It can be assumed that conditions continue to exist that may pose a threat to members and guests of the University community. This warning is being issued in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA). This warning addresses a report of sexual misconduct. Resources are available on and off campus to provide assistance: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/get-urgent-help. Members of the campus community are urged to use caution. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Penn State University Police at (814) 863-1111.

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree the source is present, naming University Police as receiving and investigating the report.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names "University Police" as receiving the report.
    2. present: It names "University Police" as the responding authority.
    3. present: It names "University Police" who received the report.
    4. present: It names "University Police" investigating.
    5. present: It names "University Police" and Penn State University Police as the sender.
    6. present: It names "University Police" receiving the report, identifying the source.
    7. present: It names "University Police", the issuing authority.
    8. present: It names "University Police" as the receiving authority.
    9. present: "University Police" and "Penn State University Police" identify the sender.
    10. present: It names "University Police", the issuing authority.
    11. present: It names "University Police" as having received the report.
    12. present: It names "University Police" and "Penn State University Police" as the source.
    13. present: It names "University Police" and "Penn State University Police".
    14. present: It names "University Police" and "Penn State University Police", the issuing authority.
    15. present: It names "University Police" investigating the report.
    16. present: It names "University Police" and "Penn State University Police", identifying the authority.
    17. present: It names "University Police", the responding authority.
    18. present: It names "University Police" as the receiving authority.
    19. present: It names "University Police" and "Penn State University Police".
    20. present: It names "University Police".
    21. present: It names "University Police" as receiving the report, the authority.
    22. present: Names "University Police" as receiving the report.
    23. present: Names "University Police" as the investigating authority.
    24. present: "University Police" and "Penn State University Police" identify the sending authority.
    25. present: It names "University Police".
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous that a specific hazard is named, stalking under VAWA with a physical assault.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA" with a physical assault, a specific hazard.
    2. present: It names "Stalking" with an assault, a specific crime.
    3. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA", a specific threat.
    4. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA", a specific threat.
    5. present: It names "Stalking" and a physical assault, a specific hazard.
    6. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA" with a suspect striking the victim, a specific hazard.
    7. present: It names "Stalking" and an assault (struck in face), a specific threat.
    8. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA", a specific threat.
    9. present: It names "Stalking" with an assault, a specific threat.
    10. present: It names "Stalking" with an assault, a specific threat.
    11. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA", a specific threat, plus a victim struck in the face.
    12. present: It names "Stalking" and an assault where the victim "was struck in the face".
    13. present: It names "Stalking" and a victim "struck in the face", a specific threat.
    14. present: It names "Stalking" with a physical strike, a specific crime.
    15. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA" and an assault, specific threats.
    16. present: It names "stalking" and an assault where the victim "was struck in the face", a specific crime.
    17. present: It names "Stalking" with assault, a specific threat.
    18. present: It names "Stalking" and an assault, specific crime hazards.
    19. present: It names "Stalking" with an assault, a specific threat.
    20. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA", a specific crime.
    21. present: It names "Stalking" with an assault, a specific crime.
    22. present: Names "Stalking - VAWA".
    23. present: Names "Stalking - VAWA" and an assault, specific threats.
    24. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA", a specific threat.
    25. present: It names "Stalking - VAWA", a specific crime.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous that a location is given, the Hetzel Union Building (HUB) at University Park.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It locates it "at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)".
    2. present: It locates it "at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)".
    3. present: It locates it "at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)".
    4. present: It says "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    5. present: It locates it at "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at "University Park".
    6. present: It specifies "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park, a location.
    7. present: It locates it at "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at "University Park", a specific place.
    8. present: It names "University Park" and "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)".
    9. present: It locates it at "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at "University Park".
    10. present: It locates it at "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    11. present: It specifies "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    12. present: It names "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    13. present: It names "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    14. present: It names "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at "University Park", specific places.
    15. present: It locates it "at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    16. present: It names "University Park" and "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)", specific places.
    17. present: It names "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at "University Park", specific places.
    18. present: It locates it at "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)".
    19. present: It locates it at "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at "University Park".
    20. present: It names "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    21. present: It locates it "at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    22. present: Names "University Park" and "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)".
    23. present: Locates it "at the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
    24. present: It names "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park, a specific place.
    25. present: It locates it at "the Hetzel Union Building (HUB)" at University Park.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous that protective action is given, urging community members to use caution.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It urges community members "to use caution".
    2. present: It urges members "to use caution".
    3. present: It urges members to "use caution".
    4. present: It urges community members "to use caution".
    5. present: It urges "Members of the campus community to use caution".
    6. present: It urges community members "to use caution" and to contact police with information, protective actions.
    7. present: It urges members to "use caution", a protective action.
    8. present: It urges members "to use caution".
    9. present: It urges community members to "use caution".
    10. present: It urges members "to use caution".
    11. present: It urges community members "to use caution".
    12. present: It urges community members to "use caution".
    13. present: It urges community members to "use caution".
    14. present: It urges community members "to use caution" and contact police, protective actions.
    15. present: It urges community members "to use caution" and to contact police.
    16. present: It urges community "to use caution" and to contact police, a protective action.
    17. present: It urges members "to use caution" and to contact police with information.
    18. present: It urges "Members of the campus community ... to use caution".
    19. present: It urges members "to use caution".
    20. present: It urges members "to use caution" and to "contact Penn State University Police".
    21. present: It urges members "to use caution" and to contact police with information.
    22. present: Urges members to "use caution" and contact police.
    23. present: Urges members "to use caution" and to contact police with information.
    24. present: It urges members "to use caution", a protective action.
    25. present: It urges community members "to use caution".
  • Timeabsent2/25

    Final assessment

    Nearly all reads find no time cue; only a vague after time passed and a case number appear, which the majority did not count as time.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: No clock time or date of the incident is given, only "After time passed".
    2. absent: No clock time or recency cue appears beyond past-tense report.
    3. absent: No clock time or recency cue appears; the case number is not a time.
    4. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    5. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    6. absent: No clock time or recency cue appears; only a case number, not a time, is given.
    7. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears for the incident timing.
    8. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    9. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    10. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    11. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    12. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in this report.
    13. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    14. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue of the incident appears.
    15. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    16. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears beyond a case number, no time of incident.
    17. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue is given.
    18. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    19. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the warning.
    20. present: It includes the dated context of the report and "After time passed".
    21. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the message.
    22. absent: No clock time or recency cue; "After time passed" is narrative not a time stamp.
    23. present: References "After time passed" and gives a case number, with recency implied.
    24. absent: No clock time or specific date of the incident is given, only a case number.
    25. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
  • Impactpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present by unanimous agreement. The warning reports a stalking where the victim was struck in the face by the suspect, an explicit stated physical injury.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It reports the victim was struck in the face by a stalking suspect and states conditions may pose a threat, an explicit harm.
    2. present: Reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face, an explicit stated injury, and a continuing threat.
    3. present: Reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face and warns conditions may pose a threat, a stated injury and peril.
    4. present: Reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face, an explicit injury and stated threat to the community.
    5. present: It states the victim was struck in the face by the suspect, conveying actual physical harm.
    6. present: It reports a stalking where the victim was struck in the face by the suspect, an explicit injury, and states conditions may pose a threat.
    7. present: Reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face, an explicit injury and stated harm.
    8. present: Reports stalking and that the victim was struck in the face, an explicit injury, plus threat to community.
    9. present: Reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face and states conditions may pose a threat, an explicit stated harm and danger.
    10. present: The text states the victim was struck in the face by the suspect, an explicit injury to a person.
    11. present: It reports the victim was struck in the face during a stalking incident and warns of a threat, a stated harm.
    12. present: Reports a stalking where the victim was struck in the face, an explicit physical harm to a person.
    13. present: It reports the victim was struck in the face by the suspect, an explicit injury.
    14. present: Reports a stalking where the victim was struck in the face, a clearly stated injury.
    15. present: It reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face, an explicit injury and stated threat.
    16. present: Reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face and a stated threat to community members, explicit harm.
    17. present: Describes a stalking where the victim was struck in the face, a stated injury, and warns of possible threat.
    18. present: It reports the victim was struck in the face during a stalking and recording incident, a stated injury.
    19. present: A stalking report where the victim was struck in the face conveys an explicit physical harm.
    20. present: Describes stalking where the victim was struck in the face by the suspect, a stated injury and threat.
    21. present: It reports a stalking where the victim was struck in the face, an explicit injury, and states conditions may pose a threat.
    22. present: It reports a stalking victim was struck in the face by the suspect, a stated physical harm to a person.
    23. present: Reports a stalking where the victim was struck in the face and warns of a threat to the community, explicit stated harm and danger.
    24. present: Reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face, an explicit injury, and warns of a threat.
    25. present: Reports stalking where the victim was struck in the face, an explicit stated injury.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

Penn State University Park is one of the largest universities in the United States, and its Hetzel Union Building (HUB-Robeson Center) is the campus's primary student-life hub, housing dining, programming, and student organizations. The stalking-VAWA timely warning (case 23UP00619), archived at timelywarnings.psu.edu, was issued February 16, 2023, and reflects the legal architecture of VAWA timely warnings: stalking is constituted by a course of conduct (here, repeated covert recording in the same restroom) that escalated into physical assault. State College resident Mark Alonzo Williams was subsequently arrested and charged with invasion of privacy, simple assault, and harassment. Penn State maintains an unusually transparent timely-warning archive, with case numbers, campus-specific URLs, and standardized statutory language across its campuses, as documented by Daily Collegian reporting. The specific warning illustrates a contemporary stalking pattern (restroom covert-recording) that violence-prevention organizations like SPARC have flagged as increasingly common.
Analysis

Key Findings

Stalking course-of-conduct escalated from covert recording into physical assault, a textbook example of why VAWA warnings flag continuing threats
The HUB at Penn State is the campus's most trafficked non-academic building; incidents there reliably trigger timely warnings
Penn State uses dual-statutory framing (Clery + VAWA) and links to sexual misconduct resources even for stalking-classified warnings
Restroom covert-recording is a documented contemporary stalking pattern flagged by SPARC and other campus-violence researchers
The 23UP00619 case number reflects Penn State's per-campus University Park case-numbering for 2023; the high number despite the February incident date shows the case sequence is not a simple chronological count of timely warnings
Outcome
The suspect initially fled the scene. State College resident Mark Alonzo Williams was later charged with invasion of privacy, simple assault, and harassment for allegedly video recording an individual in a HUB-Robeson Center restroom. The case combines stalking-VAWA with assault, illustrating how stalking course-of-conduct can escalate.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
    Penn State University Park Timely Warning: Stalking VAWA (case 23UP00619)
    timelywarnings.psu.edu
    archived copy
  2. Official
    Penn State Timely Warnings centralized archive
    timelywarnings.psu.edu
    archived copy
  3. Student Paper
    Man Arrested For Allegedly Video Recording Penn State Student In HUB Bathroom (Onward State)
    onwardstate.com
    archived copy
  4. Student Paper
    What to know about timely warnings (Daily Collegian)
    psucollegian.com
    archived copy
  5. Clery ASR
    Penn State University Park 2024 Annual Security Report
    police.psu.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Pennsylvania State University, University Park: Person filmed a student in a union restroom, struck the victim when confronted, and fled." Incident of February 16, 2023. Added May 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/penn-state-university-park-stalking-hub-2023-02-16/

Download case JSON

Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
stalkingvawatimely-warningcovert-recordingpublic-r1penn-stateflagship-campuscentralized-archivehubcourse-of-conduct
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion