HOUSTON — Police at the University of Texas at Austin are investigating reports that four students have been assaulted with bleach-filled balloons while walking near campus.
The four alleged victims of the “bleach bomb" incidents, which occurred between June and September, were Asian or African-American.
“They did not file reports when the alleged incidents happened. Our chief of police heard about the incidents through the grapevine and sought out the victims," asking them to file reports, Cindy Posey, spokeswoman for campus police, told the Los Angeles Times. The alleged victims did so on Tuesday and Wednesday, she said.
Austin police are also investigating the reported attacks, Posey said.
Jaysen Runnels, an African-American student, told KVUE-TV that he was hit twice by the balloons, dropped from high-rise buildings.
“It’s very frustrating to know that it’s 2012 and that stuff like this still happens," Runnels said.
The university’s fraternity/sorority community recently faced criticism for racially themed parties, including a “Fiesta" event at which guests wore shirts saying “Illegal" and “Border Patrol."
