AAPD reports bias-motivated assault against Jewish individual

The Ann Arbor Police Department announced it is investigating a bias-motivated assault that took place on Hill Street and South Forest Avenue Sunday at 12:45 a.m, according to a press release posted to X. 

“The 19-year-old male victim reported he was walking when a group of unknown males behind him asked if he was Jewish,” the press release read. “When the victim replied yes, the group of males proceeded to assault him. The suspects fled the area on foot.”

According to AAPD, the victim suffered minor injuries and did not require immediate hospitalization. 

AAPD Chief Andre C. Anderson condemned the incident in a statement included in the press release. Anderson said AAPD will work with the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security to address the incident  as well as the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office to prosecute those responsible for the assault. 

“I have communicated with the University of Michigan, and our goal is to discuss safety over the next few weeks,” the statement read. “There is absolutely no place for hate or ethnic intimidation in the City of Ann Arbor. Our department stands against antisemitism and all acts of bias-motivated crimes. We are committed to vigorously investigated this and other hate-motivated incidents and will work with the County Prosecutor’s office to aggressively prosecute those who are responsible” 

Michigan Hillel CEO Davey Rosen wrote in a press release that Hillel’s Jewish community security coordinator was notified of the assault by AAPD and subsequently alerted both DPSS and the U-M administration.

“In hard times, we at Michigan Hillel draw strength from this incredible community — students, parents, alumni, and friends — and that strength powers our pride and joy in being Jewish and, in particular, being Jewish at the University of Michigan,” Rosen wrote.

In a post on X Sunday night, DPSS announced that the AAPD investigation into the incident is still ongoing.  

“DPSS was notified this afternoon that @A2Police is investigating an alleged assault incident that occurred in the area of S. Forest Avenue and Hill Street on September 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30am.” the post read. 

Daily Staff Reporters Christina Zhang and Claudia Minetti can be reached at zchrist@umich.edu and cminetti@umich.edu.  

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