{
  "id": "2026-04-22-umass-amherst-assault-on-commonwealth-avenue-near-boyden-gym",
  "slug": "umass-amherst-assault-on-commonwealth-avenue-near-boyden-gym-2026-04-22",
  "institution": {
    "name": "University of Massachusetts Amherst",
    "shortName": "UMass Amherst",
    "state": "MA",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "UMass Alert / UMPD Advisory",
    "enrollment": 32000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2026-04-22",
    "type": "assault",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Assault on Commonwealth Avenue near Boyden Gym",
    "headlinePublic": "Assault on Commonwealth Avenue near Boyden Gym",
    "summary": "UMass Amherst Police [published a public safety advisory](https://www.umass.edu/police/alerts-advisories). Full text is preserved from the official UMPD Alerts and Advisories page.",
    "outcome": "See official UMPD advisory for investigation status and safety guidance."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "UMPD Public Safety Advisory April 22, 2026\n\r\nCommonwealth Ave near Boyden Gym\n\r\nCA04 26-8495 \n\nThe University of Massachusetts Amherst Police (UMPD) is investigating a report from a student involving an unknown male who physically assaulted her while walking on the sidewalk adjacent to Commonwealth Avenue near parking Lot 42. \n\nThe reporting party indicated that on 04/22/26 at approximately 1:30 AM she was walking on the sidewalk when an unknown male party approached and passed. The unknown party then turned around approached from behind and grabbed the student. The student screamed and was able to pull away, the male party then ran away in the direction of parking Lot 42. \n\nThe unknown male party is described as a white male in his 30’s, approximately 5’10” wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants. He is further described as possibly having dark colored eyes and a mustache. The suspect is believed to have left the area in a blue four door sedan. If you have information on this suspect or vehicle please contact UMPD at (413) 545-2121\n\nUMPD encourages any member of the community to report suspicious behavior immediately to the police. Students are reminded to remain aware of their surroundings and to contact UMPD immediately if they observe or are aware of a similar situation. UMPD may be contacted 24 hours a day at (413) 545-2121 or online at https://www.umass.edu/police/about/contact-us.\n\nSafety Tips: \n\n- Situational Awareness: Keep your head up and scan your surroundings, avoiding dark alleys or shortcuts. Remove ear buds / headphones to better observe your surroundings.\n- Active Communication: Talk on the phone with a friend while walking to act as a deterrent. \n- Share Your Location: Use your phone to share your live route with a trusted contact.\n- Look Confident: Walk with purpose and a brisk pace to avoid appearing vulnerable. \n- Preprogram the campus Walking Escort Service phone number (413-545-2123) into your phone if you’d be more comfortable walking with someone\n- Preprogram UMPD’s phone number (413-545-2121) into your phone in case of an emergency. \n- Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe, reach out to UMPD.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.umass.edu/police/alerts-advisories",
      "sourceDescription": "UMass Amherst Police Alerts and Advisories page",
      "annotations": [
        "Transcribed from official umass.edu/police/alerts-advisories HTML.",
        "Source page hosts multiple dated advisories; this case isolates one advisory block."
      ],
      "characterCount": 2165,
      "confidence": "high",
      "timestampApprox": "UMPD Public Safety Advisory dated 2026-04-22"
    }
  ],
  "context": "University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department Alerts and Advisories series.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official UMPD Alerts and Advisories page preserves public safety advisory text."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "type": "official-archive",
      "title": "UMPD Alerts and Advisories",
      "url": "https://www.umass.edu/police/alerts-advisories",
      "accessDate": "2026-07-25"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "umass",
    "amherst",
    "umpd",
    "public-safety-advisory",
    "assault"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-07-25",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-25",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}