East Carolina University police are actively investigating a reported second-degree forcible rape that allegedly took place inside Fletcher Hall, one of the residence halls on campus.
The report comes amid growing criticism about ECU’s handling of sexual assault cases and its campus safety practices.
Deputy Chief Chris Sutton of ECU Police confirmed that officers received a report of a sexual assault on Sunday around 3:30 p.m.
Sutton said that the alleged victim and suspect are known to each other, describing it as an acquaintance situation rather than a random attack.
When the report came in, the suspect had already left the premises.
FLETCHER HALL
Because there was no ongoing threat to the larger student body, ECU Police chose not to issue a campus-wide alert. Sutton said investigators are still interviewing everyone involved, collecting evidence, and trying to determine probable cause.
Officials have also reminded students to be cautious about who they allow into dorms and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
This recent case adds to a growing list of sexual assault reports tied to East Carolina University, where several incidents over the past year have put the university’s safety protocols under a microscope.
