A woman was pistol whipped last night in a basement bathroom of the Schaible Science Center at west suburban Elmhurst College, triggering an hour long campus lock down. The attacker was described as a 5 foot, 8 inch tall male, wearing a black ski mask. The victim -- a Muslim -- says that about a week ago someone had written "anti-Muslim graffiti" and a swastika on her locker. Officials also found anti-Muslim graffiti in the bathroom where she was attacked, and have now labeled the incident a hate crime. The woman's father described the incident to the Tribune: "[The attacker] said, 'Now who is going to protect you?' " the victim's father said. " 'And she said that, 'God will protect me ... You can kill me, but you cannot take my soul.' She fought for her life, and that's how God saved her." Coincidentally enough, earlier that day students had held a "diversity rally" because of what they claim are a growing number of incidents involving discrimination especially towards Muslims -- even though there are only 25 Muslims amongst the 3,300 people enrolled at the school. In light of the attack, students organized a sit-in this afternoon to help convince the college to improve campus security. [ Pioneer Local , S-T , Trib ] Photo from the Elmhurst College website ...
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A woman was pistol whipped last night in a basement bathroom of the Schaible Science Center at west suburban Elmhurst College, triggering an hour long campus lock down. The attacker was described as a 5 foot, 8 inch tall male, wearing a black ski mask. The victim -- a Muslim -- says that about a week ago someone had written "anti-Muslim graffiti" and a swastika on her locker. Officials also found anti-Muslim graffiti in the bathroom where she was attacked, and have now labeled the incident a hate crime. The woman's father described the incident to the Tribune: "[The attacker] said, 'Now who is going to protect you?' " the victim's father said. " 'And she said that, 'God will protect me ... You can kill me, but you cannot take my soul.' She fought for her life, and that's how God saved her." Coincidentally enough, earlier that day students had held a "diversity rally" because of what they claim are a growing number of incidents involving discrimination especially towards Muslims -- even though there are only 25 Muslims amongst the 3,300 people enrolled at the school. In light of the attack, students organized a sit-in this afternoon to help convince the college to improve campus security. [ Pioneer Local , S-T , Trib ] Photo from the Elmhurst College website ...