Update: Important safety message to the McGill community

This is an update of a joint message from Jane Everett, Dean of Students, and Pierre Barbarie, Associate Director, Security Services, that was sent on April 22. As with the previous message, you are asked to read it carefully.

Please note that the assailant Montreal police have been seeking following incidents of assault and sexual assault that occurred in the Milton-Parc community to the east of the downtown campus between Thursday, April 21, and Friday, April 22, is still at large.

The suspect is described as a white male, with slightly dark skin, possibly of Middle-Eastern origin. He is between 20 and 25 years of age, 1.8 metres (about 5-feet-9) and weighs approximately 85 kg (about 185 pounds). He has short dark hair. During his attacks, he spoke to his victims in English, with a French accent.

Montreal police have advised us that there have been no subsequent incidents, but also that an individual arrested a few days ago in connection with another series of assaults that occurred in another part of the city is not the man suspected in these attacks.

So we wish to reiterate to all in our community, particularly those of you who live in or pass through the Milton-Parc area, to be extremely careful when walking after dark.

• Avoid walking alone.
• If you don't have anyone to walk with you, please contact McGill Security Services at 514-398-3000 or through one of the campus emergency phones and they will escort you to a safe place.
• Please do not walk with headphones in or over your ears.
• Please do not take shortcuts through back alleys, regardless of the weather. Stay in lighted areas only.
• Please note that due to the volunteer nature of its service, Walksafe is closed during exam periods and during the summer semester (May-August).
• Please report anything suspicious to Montreal Police at 9-1-1 and, for on-campus concerns, to McGill Security Services at 514-398-3000.
• Please note that student-support services are available through the McGill Counselling Service and the Sexual Assault Centre of McGill Students' Society (514-398-8500).

We will continue to be in close touch with Montreal Police for further information and will update this note as needed.

Please do not hesitate to let us know your concerns. We can be reached at jane.everett [at] mcgill.ca and pierre.barbarie [at] mcgill.ca.