{ "id": "2023-01-24-howard-university-robbery-of-student-on-georgia-avenue-nw", "slug": "howard-university-robbery-of-student-on-georgia-avenue-nw-2023-01-24", "institution": { "name": "Howard University", "shortName": "Howard", "state": "DC", "type": "hbcu", "alertSystemName": "HU Alert / Bison Safe", "enrollment": 13000 }, "incident": { "date": "2023-01-24", "type": "robbery", "cleryCategory": "timely-warning", "resolution": "arrest", "headline": "Robbery of student on Georgia Avenue NW", "headlinePublic": "Robbery of student on Georgia Avenue NW", "summary": "Howard DPS [published Crime Alert - Robbery](https://publicsafety.howard.edu/articles/crime-alert-robbery). Full text recovered from the official publicsafety.howard.edu Crime Alert archive.", "outcome": "See official Howard DPS Crime Alert page for further updates if any." }, "alerts": [ { "sequence": 1, "type": "initial", "timestampApprox": "Published on or about 2023-01-24 (page archive date; exact email clock time not stated)", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), along with the Howard University Department of Public Safety, is investigating a reported robbery of a Howard University student, which occurred at approximately 12:34 p.m. in the 2300 block of Georgia Ave. N.W.\n\nA complainant reported that while walking in the area he was approached by three suspects who demanded his coat. When he refused, they struck him several times about the head and body and forcibly took the coat.\n\nAll three subjects were last seen driving a blue Hyundai Sonata with temporary tag #T1173789 heading northbound on Georgia Ave, N.W. A lookout has been initiated for three black males, wearing ski masks. No further description is available at this time.\n\nAnyone with information about this incident should immediately contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 202-806-1100 or call 911 to reach MPD.\n\nThe Howard University Department of Public Safety notifies the University community when crimes are reported that present a continuing threat to the students, faculty, or staff in a manner consistent with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.\n\nGeneral Safety Tips:\n• Avoid isolated and dark areas.\n• Carry your mobile phone and keep it accessible.\n• Do not use doors marked as fire exits, prop, or obstruct them for unauthorized access.\n• If you are approached, take note of the person’s appearance, clothing and anything that will help to identify the subject.\n• Immediately report any suspicious activity or suspicious individuals to the Howard University Police Department at 202-806-1100. Program this number into your mobile phone for quick access.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://publicsafety.howard.edu/articles/crime-alert-robbery", "sourceDescription": "Howard DPS Crime Alert - Robbery", "annotations": [ "Verbatim from Howard DPS Crime Alert / advisory archive at publicsafety.howard.edu.", "Incident date taken from earliest page date stamp when body clock date is not explicit." ], "characterCount": 1677, "confidence": "high" }, { "sequence": 2, "type": "update", "timestampApprox": "Howard DPS community update on or about 2023-01-24", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "I am writing to update community members on an incident that took place earlier this afternoon on Georgia Ave. near the Wonder Plaza complex. While walking amongst a crowd of onlookers and witnesses, a student was robbed by three masked attackers who pulled up in a car, took his coat, and fled the scene in a matter of seconds. In the hours since this attack, DPS has apprehended two of the three suspects and are confident the third individual will be soon brought to justice.\n\nOn behalf of the officers who investigated and are working to soon close this case, I first to want to express our support of the student directly impacted by this attack, and all who attempted to help him in the moment. This student was doing what all Bison usually do on a Tuesday afternoon; walking in a highly-trafficked community area in the middle of the day when three bad actors decided that traffic and pedestrian cameras, witnesses, and broad daylight were not enough for them to deter or reconsider committing a heinous crime.\n\nBecause of the students who attempted to help him, those who have provided information to our investigators, and those who have expressed support publicly and privately for DPS and our campus safety culture, the student’s property has been returned. In every sense of the word - our Bison did the right thing. I hope all students and employees continue to make our safety practices second nature in their daily lives. Some tips are available here, but include:\n\nI am grateful for the tireless spirit of the Bison community that works at every level to solve disparities that move individuals to make bad choices or commit illegal, criminal acts. DPS will continue working with the District of Columbia to combat criminal activity in our city.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://publicsafety.howard.edu/articles/campus-safety-update", "sourceDescription": "Howard DPS Campus Safety Update", "annotations": [ "Verbatim from publicsafety.howard.edu campus safety update article." ], "characterCount": 1761, "confidence": "high" } ], "context": "Official Howard University Department of Public Safety Crime Alert archived at [publicsafety.howard.edu](https://publicsafety.howard.edu/articles/crime-alert-robbery).", "keyFindings": [ "Complete official Clery-style campus community notification text recovered from public DPS site." ], "sources": [ { "title": "Howard DPS Crime Alert - Robbery", "url": "https://publicsafety.howard.edu/articles/crime-alert-robbery", "type": "official-archive", "accessDate": "2026-07-26" }, { "title": "Howard DPS Campus Safety Update", "url": "https://publicsafety.howard.edu/articles/campus-safety-update", "type": "official-archive", "accessDate": "2026-07-26" } ], "confidence": "high", "tags": [ "2023", "clery-timely-warning", "crime-alert", "howard", "robbery" ], "dateAdded": "2026-07-26", "lastUpdated": "2026-07-26", "addedBy": "ingestion" }