YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University community is on guard after a recent rash of violent crimes targeting students.
"I am a little worried but it's also, like, I got to live my life," said student Sarah Kuehn.
"It is very taxing when we should be focused on our academics we are focused on whether or not we are going to make it home or even to class," said student Bobby Curry.
It has been a violent few days. On early Sunday morning in the 400 block of West Michigan Avenue, a group of four to five men punched and knocked a student to the ground. They took his wallet and cell phone.
Just 24 hours earlier, in the 900 block of Railroad Street, another student was attacked by a group of men. Police say those cases may be connected.
Also over the weekend were two unrelated sexual assaults in an on-campus dorm. Last Friday, Eastern Michigan football player Demarius Reed was found shot to death in an off-campus apartment.
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The university is hosting a campus and community forum on crime Tuesday with Ypsilanti police.
"The safety and security of our students and staff is the upmost concern at Eastern Michigan University. It's one of our primary missions," said university spokesman Geoff Larcom.
Meanwhile, students are doing what they can to protect themselves by staying vigilant and walking in groups.
"I am very paranoid living here. I have pepper spray on my key chain. I don't do night classes because it's too dangerous. I barely go out at night," said student Madeline Hoffman.