Police searching for suspect after attempted assault of TCU student

Search for attempted assault suspect of TCU student

A girl was grabbed by an unknown man who attempted to assault her near TCU's campus on Thursday morning.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Police are looking for a man who grabbed a female TCU student near campus Thursday morning, according to a TCU Alert and Fort Worth police.

What we know:

An unidentified man grabbed the student around 7:30 a.m. in the 2400 block of Winton Terrace East, near the TCU campus in Fort Worth.

The suspect attempted to physically assault her before running northbound from the scene. He remains at large.

What they're saying:

Kristi Mayfield lives nearby and used to walk at this park as a TCU student.

Now Mayfield and the neighborhood are coming together after the sexual assault of the female student who was walking here on Thursday morning.

"Any type of potential predator in our backyard makes us all a little bit more cautious about what’s going on around us," said Mayfield.

"And I was just at a neighborhood event and that was the topic of conversation. What can we do to make these people feel super safe in our neighborhood?"

Mayfield says the terrifying attack now leads her to share safety tips with her own kids about being alert when they walk.

"This morning I just said, ‘I’m sorry girls, I’m going to interrupt you. Take your earpod out. Only wear one. I’m going to be a mom today, and I’m going to continue to do that. Get the message out. Be aware and if you have both of your headsets in, you’re not aware,’" said Mayfield.

"But that’s the thing, if it’s unexpected you have to be aware of it anyway."

TCU Statement

TCU issued a statement saying it is: 

"…saddened by the attempted assault of one of our students off campus this morning…grateful for the quick actions of the Fort Worth Police Department and hope(s) the perpetrator is apprehended soon."

What you can do:

Police are asking for help identifying the man. He is described as white or Hispanic, heavyset, with curly hair. He was last seen wearing a black or gray beanie, a brown long-sleeved sweater, and blue jeans.

Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not released details about the nature of the attempted assault.

The identity and age of the victim have not been disclosed.

It’s unclear if the suspect is affiliated with the university or why he was in the area.