To the Temple community,    

Earlier this morning, a Temple University student was the victim of a gunpoint robbery in the area of the 1900 block of N. 16th Street. Thankfully, the student was physically unharmed, and shortly after the incident, they reported the crime to the Department of Public Safety. A cell phone was taken during the incident but was later recovered in the area of the incident, and it has been returned to the student.  

In the area of the 1800 block of N. 16th, a second student was the victim of a separate gunpoint robbery that was reported to the Philadelphia Police 22nd District. A phone and wallet were taken in that incident. While both incidents are off-campus, they are within the university’s patrol zone. Temple Police detectives are assisting Philadelphia Police in the investigation.   

In the area of the 2000 block of W. Jefferson Street, which is off-campus and outside of the patrol zone, a third gunpoint robbery happened. That incident did not involve a student and is being investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department.   

All incidents happened this morning between approximately 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Investigators are now working to identify and find a suspect captured on security cameras. He was wearing all black clothing and a black facemask.  

DPS is currently reviewing camera footage as part of the ongoing investigation.    

As we have said, our students’ personal safety and well-being are far more important than any possession.  

If you have not already done so, you can download and use the TUSafe app to request emergency services or walking escorts. Our colleagues in Public Safety have enhanced patrols in key areas of the patrol zone and are coordinating with Philadelphia Police.  

The Office of the Dean of Students will contact the affected students to ensure they have access to counseling and other trauma-informed resources. We also know that crimes like this affect other Temple community members and encourage anyone in need of support to contact Tuttleman Counseling Services.     

We urge all members of the Temple community to contact Temple Police at 215-204-1234 if they have any details on these crimes or need more information regarding the university’s available safety resources.    

Best regards,    

Jennifer D. Griffin   
Vice President of Public Safety at Temple University