Seattle U student robbed, stabbed on campus



SEATTLE -- Maria, a law student at Seattle University, is often on campus at night. She says news of another attack on campus makes her feel a little less safe.

"I keep getting notifications in the mail that something happened, and I read that, and then I’m walking, and I think anything can happen,"

Police say around 1 a.m. Wednesday, a male student was walking from the neighborhood to campus.

"He noticed people following him, he got a little nervous, and as soon as he walked onto campus, he was attacked from behind," Seattle police spokesman Mark Jamieson said.

According to police,  two people, believed to be a 15-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man, knocked him to the ground, punched and kicked him in an attempt to get his wallet. A 16-year-old female was also at the scene keeping watch, police said.

While the suspects went through the victim's pockets, one of the suspects pulled out a knife and stabbed him in his upper chest.

Somehow the victim managed to break free during the fight and ran to a Seattle University emergency kiosk. A university security guard arrived a short time later and called 911.

"That ended up being an important turn of events," said Tim Marion, the head of campus security, when asked if it may have saved the student's life.

Before the victim was rushed to the hospital, where he remains in intensive care in serious condition, he was able to describe his attackers. Officers quickly found two teen suspects hiding nearby. Police said the third suspect, 23-year-old Justin Pamon, climbed a wooden wall and hid in a compost pile. A K-9 unit was able to sniff him out.

This is just the latest in a series of attacks and robberies around Seattle University in the past several months. Campus security does not believe students are specifically being targeted, but say they do have to be aware.

"In any urban environment, it is definitely wise to have a plan before you go out for an evening," said Marion.

School  security provides escorts for students, even off campus, and also encourages everyone to walk in pairs or in groups.