Campus Alert Archive
U-M

Aggravated Assault; occurred at the Target store on 231 S. S; later unfounded

AI-generated · every claim is source-linked
MIaggravated assaulttimely warninghigh confidence
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UnfoundedNo evidence of an actual threat was found. The institutional response is documented because the alert communication is identical to what would occur during a real incident.

University of Michigan DPSS published Crime Alert that was later canceled. Full original and cancellation text is preserved from the official page.

Alerts
1
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
University of Michigan
Public R1 · MI
All U-M cases →
~51,000 studentsDPSS Crime Alert
Official alert policy
Read when and how U-M says it will use U-M Emergency Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatim1350 chars
Crime Alert 2024-02: Felonious Assault Summary: The Ann Arbor Police Department is investigating a Felonious Assault that occurred at the Target store on 231 S. State Street, on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m. Two individuals were walking in the door when they bumped into each other. A verbal altercation occurred, and the suspect brandished a folded pocket knife and placed it against the victim’s throat. The victim pushed the suspect away, and the suspect exposed the blade. They separated, and both continued shopping before they left the store. Suspect(s): Black male, 6’ tall, approximately 20 years of age, thin build, short curly hair. Wearing a dark navy or black jacket. If you have any information, please contact the AAPD tip line at 734.794.6939 or email tips@a2gov.org. Contact the Division of Public Safety & Security at 734.763.1131. Safety and Security Tips: For updates, visit dpss.umich.edu. - Look assertive and be aware of your surroundings. - Trust your intuition. If a particular situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative - Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas - If you feel threatened, look for a blue light emergency phone or call 911 from any phone. - If you see something, say something. Report suspicious behavior. Call 911 - Confidential Tip Line 1-800-863-1355
Verify this quote
U-M DPSS Crime Alert (later canceled)dpss.umich.edufind archived copies
Transcribed from official DPSS crime-alert web page HTML; alert marked canceled on page.
Live h1 carries retroactive [Canceled] stamp (archive template, not transmission). Moved here.
2026-09-21 second deep audit P2 chrome R1/ruling #6: DPSS Alert ID/Agency/Issued/Date/Location/Offense field block is archive-page template. Recaptured title + rich-text notice body. Paired demote+correct. Cap-exempt.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude Opus 5.5 (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.

Crime Alert 2024-02: Felonious Assault Summary: The Ann Arbor Police Department is investigating a Felonious Assault that occurred at the Target store on 231 S. State Street, on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m. Two individuals were walking in the door when they bumped into each other. A verbal altercation occurred, and the suspect brandished a folded pocket knife and placed it against the victim’s throat. The victim pushed the suspect away, and the suspect exposed the blade. They separated, and both continued shopping before they left the store. Suspect(s): Black male, 6’ tall, approximately 20 years of age, thin build, short curly hair. Wearing a dark navy or black jacket. If you have any information, please contact the AAPD tip line at 734.794.6939 or email tips@a2gov.org. Contact the Division of Public Safety & Security at 734.763.1131. Safety and Security Tips: For updates, visit dpss.umich.edu. - Look assertive and be aware of your surroundings. - Trust your intuition. If a particular situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative - Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas - If you feel threatened, look for a blue light emergency phone or call 911 from any phone. - If you see something, say something. Report suspicious behavior. Call 911 - Confidential Tip Line 1-800-863-1355

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: it names the "Ann Arbor Police Department" and the "Division of Public Safety & Security".

    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 the 'Ann Arbor Police Department' and 'Division of Public Safety & Security'.
    2. present: It names "The Ann Arbor Police Department" and the "Division of Public Safety & Security", identifying authorities.
    3. present: It names the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    4. present: It names 'The Ann Arbor Police Department' and the 'Division of Public Safety & Security'.
    5. present: It says 'The Ann Arbor Police Department is investigating' and lists the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    6. present: It names 'The Ann Arbor Police Department' and the 'Division of Public Safety & Security'.
    7. present: It is 'Crime Alert 2024-02' and names the Ann Arbor Police Department and Division of Public Safety & Security.
    8. present: The alert names the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    9. present: It names the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security as the contacts.
    10. present: It is 'Crime Alert 2024-02' naming the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    11. present: It names 'The Ann Arbor Police Department' and 'the Division of Public Safety & Security' as authorities.
    12. present: It says 'The Ann Arbor Police Department is investigating' and names the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    13. present: It names the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security as contacts.
    14. present: It is 'Crime Alert 2024-02' naming the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety and Security.
    15. present: It names the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    16. present: It cites 'The Ann Arbor Police Department' and the 'Division of Public Safety & Security' in Crime Alert 2024-02.
    17. present: It is 'Crime Alert 2024-02' naming the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    18. present: It names the Ann Arbor Police Department and Division of Public Safety & Security as responsible authorities.
    19. present: It names 'The Ann Arbor Police Department' and 'the Division of Public Safety & Security' as contacts.
    20. present: It names 'The Ann Arbor Police Department' and the 'Division of Public Safety & Security' under a Crime Alert header.
    21. present: The 'Crime Alert 2024-02' refers readers to the Division of Public Safety & Security and names AAPD investigating.
    22. present: It names 'The Ann Arbor Police Department' and the Division of Public Safety & Security as contacts.
    23. present: It is headed 'Crime Alert 2024-02' and names the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    24. present: It names "The Ann Arbor Police Department" and the Division of Public Safety & Security.
    25. present: It names the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Division of Public Safety & Security as contacts.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree the hazard is specific: a "Felonious Assault" with a pocket knife held against the victim's throat.

    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 describes a 'Felonious Assault' with a pocket knife placed against a victim's throat.
    2. present: It names a "Felonious Assault" in which the suspect "brandished a folded pocket knife", a specific threat.
    3. present: It names a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect 'brandished a folded pocket knife'.
    4. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect placed a knife against the victim's throat.
    5. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect placed 'a folded pocket knife' against a victim's throat.
    6. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect 'placed it against the victim's throat' with a knife.
    7. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' in which the suspect put a pocket knife against the victim's throat.
    8. present: It reports a "Felonious Assault" where the suspect "placed it against the victim's throat" with a pocket knife.
    9. present: It describes a 'Felonious Assault' in which the suspect 'placed it against the victim's throat', a knife assault.
    10. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' in which a suspect put a pocket knife to the victim's throat.
    11. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect 'placed it against the victim's throat' with a knife.
    12. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect 'placed it against the victim's throat' with a knife.
    13. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect placed a knife 'against the victim's throat'.
    14. present: It names a 'Felonious Assault' with a 'folded pocket knife'.
    15. present: It reports "a Felonious Assault" where the suspect placed a knife against the victim's throat.
    16. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' in which the suspect placed a pocket knife against the victim's throat.
    17. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' in which the suspect 'brandished a folded pocket knife'.
    18. present: It names a "Felonious Assault" in which a suspect placed a knife against the victim's throat.
    19. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' in which the suspect 'brandished a folded pocket knife'.
    20. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' in which the suspect 'placed it against the victim's throat', a knife threat.
    21. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect placed a knife 'against the victim's throat'.
    22. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' in which the suspect placed a pocket knife against the victim's throat.
    23. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' in which the suspect held 'a folded pocket knife' to the victim's throat.
    24. present: It reports a "Felonious Assault" in which the suspect "brandished a folded pocket knife."
    25. present: It reports a 'Felonious Assault' where the suspect placed 'a folded pocket knife' against a throat, a specific threat.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: it gives "the Target store on 231 S. State Street".

    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 gives 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    2. present: It places the assault "at the Target store on 231 S. State Street".
    3. present: It locates the assault at 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    4. present: It locates it at 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    5. present: It gives 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street' as the specific place where the knife assault occurred.
    6. present: It places the incident at 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    7. present: It gives 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street' as the location.
    8. present: It occurred "at the Target store on 231 S. State Street".
    9. present: It locates the assault at 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    10. present: It gives 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street' as the location.
    11. present: It says the assault occurred 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street', a specific address.
    12. present: It places the assault 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    13. present: It places the assault 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    14. present: It places the incident 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    15. present: It gives "the Target store on 231 S. State Street".
    16. present: It places the assault 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    17. present: It gives 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street' as the location.
    18. present: It gives "the Target store on 231 S. State Street" as the place where the felonious assault occurred.
    19. present: It places the assault at 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street', a specific named address.
    20. present: It places the assault 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    21. present: It gives 'the Target store on 231 S. State Street' as the place where the knife assault occurred.
    22. present: It places the assault 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    23. present: It places the assault 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
    24. present: It places the assault "at the Target store on 231 S. State Street."
    25. present: It locates the assault 'at the Target store on 231 S. State Street'.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find guidance, citing tips such as "Walk with a friend" and to "call 911" if threatened.

    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: Tips include 'Walk with a friend' and 'call 911' if threatened, protective actions.
    2. present: It advises "Walk with a friend" and to call 911 if you feel threatened, protective actions.
    3. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend' and 'call 911 from any phone' if threatened.
    4. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and to call 911 if threatened.
    5. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend' and 'If you feel threatened, look for a blue light emergency phone or call 911'.
    6. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend' and 'If you feel threatened... call 911'.
    7. present: It advises readers to 'Walk with a friend' and 'look for a blue light emergency phone or call 911' if threatened.
    8. present: Tips tell readers to walk with a friend in well lit areas and to "call 911" if threatened.
    9. present: It advises readers to walk with a friend and 'call 911' if threatened, which are protective actions.
    10. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and to call 911 if threatened.
    11. present: It tells readers to 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and to 'call 911' if threatened.
    12. present: It tells readers to 'be aware of your surroundings' and 'call 911' if they feel threatened.
    13. present: It advises readers to 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and call 911 if threatened.
    14. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and to call 911.
    15. present: It advises walking with a friend and to "call 911 from any phone" if threatened.
    16. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and to call 911 if threatened.
    17. present: It tells readers to 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and call 911 if threatened.
    18. present: It advises "Walk with a friend" and to call 911 if threatened, which are protective actions.
    19. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and to call 911 if threatened.
    20. present: It advises readers to 'be aware of your surroundings' and 'call 911' if threatened, protective actions.
    21. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend' and 'call 911' if threatened, which are protective instructions.
    22. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and calling 911 if threatened.
    23. present: It advises 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and to call 911 if threatened.
    24. present: It advises "Walk with a friend" and "If you feel threatened... call 911."
    25. present: It advises readers to 'Walk with a friend or co-worker in well-lit areas' and to call 911 if threatened.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: it gives "April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m."

    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. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.'.
    2. present: It says the assault occurred "on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m."
    3. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.'.
    4. present: It says the assault occurred 'on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.', a date and time.
    5. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.', a full date and clock time for the assault.
    6. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.' as the time of the assault at the Target store.
    7. present: It states the assault occurred 'on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.', giving date and time.
    8. present: It gives "April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m." as the incident time.
    9. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.' as the incident time.
    10. present: It says the assault happened 'on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.'.
    11. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.' as the incident date and time.
    12. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.', which provides both a date and a clock time for the assault.
    13. present: It says the assault occurred 'on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.'
    14. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.'.
    15. present: It gives "April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m."
    16. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.' as the incident time.
    17. present: It dates the incident 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.'
    18. present: It gives "April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m." as the date and time of the assault.
    19. present: It states the assault occurred 'on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.', giving date and clock time.
    20. present: It says the assault occurred 'on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.'
    21. present: It gives 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.' as the time of the assault, a clear date and clock time.
    22. present: It says the assault happened 'on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.', giving date and time.
    23. present: It dates the assault to 'April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.', giving a specific date and time.
    24. present: It gives "April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m." as the date and time of the assault.
    25. present: It gives 'on April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m.' as the time of the assault.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads code Impact absent: the knife assault is recounted, but no statement of potential harm or severity follows.

    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. absent: The knife act is recounted, but no statement of potential harm or severity follows.
    2. absent: It describes the knife at the throat but states no consequence or severity of the threat to others.
    3. absent: It describes the knife against the throat but states no potential consequence or severity.
    4. absent: It describes the knife incident but states no potential consequence or severity for readers.
    5. absent: It describes the knife but does not state any consequence or severity beyond the act.
    6. absent: It describes the knife event but states no harm or severity for the community.
    7. absent: It describes the knife incident but never states consequences or severity for recipients.
    8. absent: It describes the knife but reports no injury and states no consequence or severity for the community.
    9. absent: It narrates the knife confrontation but does not state harm or severity as a warning to recipients.
    10. absent: It narrates the knife incident but states no consequence or severity, such as risk of injury, for others.
    11. absent: It describes the knife incident but does not explicitly state the potential harm or severity to others.
    12. absent: It narrates the knife threat but does not state potential consequences or severity for others.
    13. absent: It describes the knife confrontation but does not state potential injury or severity for readers.
    14. absent: It describes the knife to the throat but states no injury or severity outcome.
    15. absent: It describes the knife but reports no injury or explicit severity.
    16. absent: The knife confrontation is narrated but no consequence or severity is stated for recipients.
    17. absent: It describes the knife at the victim's throat but states no injury or consequence, and both parties kept shopping.
    18. absent: It describes the knife but does not state injury, danger to others, or consequence.
    19. absent: It describes the knife to the throat but does not state resulting injury or potential consequence.
    20. absent: It describes the knife incident but never states a consequence or severity beyond naming the crime.
    21. absent: It describes the knife threat but does not state any injury or severity of consequence.
    22. absent: It describes the knife threat but states no injury outcome or explicit severity.
    23. absent: The knife incident is described, but no statement of potential harm or severity to the community is made.
    24. absent: It describes the knife to the throat but states no consequence or severity going forward.
    25. absent: It describes the knife encounter but notes both parties kept shopping, stating no injury or explicit severity.

Coded by Claude Opus 5.5

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

About this analysis
Context

Background

University of Michigan DPSS Crime Alert series; canceled entries retain original transmitted text plus cancellation notice.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official DPSS Crime Alert includes cancellation status and original incident summary.
Outcome
Crime Alert later marked canceled on the DPSS site; see page for cancellation rationale.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    U-M DPSS Crime Alert (canceled)
    dpss.umich.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "University of Michigan: Aggravated Assault; occurred at the Target store on 231 S. S; later unfounded." Incident of April 1, 2024. Added July 2026; last updated September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/university-of-michigan-crime-alert-2024-02-felonious-assault-canceled-2024-04-01/

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

Tags
michigandpsscrime-alertcanceledaggravated-assaultUnfounded
Added July 2026Updated September 2026Via ingestion