The students living in Campus View Suites I experienced a startling incident the morning of Nov. 1 when three students were sexually assaulted in their dorms by a former student.
Wes LiCalzi, Utah Tech University chief of police, stated officers were dispatched to CVI at 3:08 a.m. for a reported sexual assault. Then, a safety notice was sent to students later that morning, which said after arrival, officers were notified of a second attempt in the same building.
This is an open investigation, though various news sources said the suspect was 22-year-old Alex Gabriel Barajas. Arrest records have confirmed this; however, details about this incident are not available to the public. Because he was not an active student, how he got into the building is still under investigation.
Micheal Martin, a Fox 13 reporter, stated the suspect was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility and faces multiple charges, without bail, on three alleged counts of rape and burglary, two counts of lewdness and one count of criminal trespass.
LiCalzi said, “We believe that any time an incident occurs, it is important that we take the time to debrief after all of the facts are gathered to determine what action, if any, could be taken to prevent something like this in the future.”
Concerns have been raised by students on campus regarding how the suspect was able to enter the building. Sydney Burnett, a freshman marketing major from St. George who lives in CVI, said she did feel safe living there until the night of the assaults. Seth Gubler, director of student housing, said students and parents have expressed their concerns.
“We understand that incidents like these are unsettling, and we are here to listen and support our students,” Gubler said.
Students are encouraged to lock their doors. Even if the outside doors are security protected, they should err on the side of caution and shouldn’t let people into the building without a student ID. An additional safety notification was only sent to students living on campus, urging students to stay safe and vigilant. It also stated that students should contact dispatch if they see or hear anything suspicious.
“While we maintain a safe campus, it is important to remember that criminals can act unpredictably, making it difficult to achieve complete immunity from those willing to harm others,” LiCalzi said.
Despite precautions set in place, this incident is a first for some students, making them feel unsafe on campus.
“I think UTPD is doing a good job, but I also think they could respond to calls faster,” Burnett said. “I do know that it’s a very scary situation, and I think it’s really important for me to keep my doors locked at all times for my own safety.”
For students who may feel unsafe on campus, LiCalzi stressed three main points:
- “I want to remind all our community members that we are available 24/7 for calls of suspicious activity, information or service. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help… [through] our myUT form. While this form is not designed for emergencies, it immediately notifies on-duty officers of the assistance needed. We encourage you to use this form as often as necessary to ensure your safety and comfort.”
- “If you feel uncomfortable walking from one building to another, remember that officers are available to provide safe escorts. Even if you can’t pinpoint exactly what’s wrong, but something doesn’t feel right about a person or situation, please let officers know. We are always ready to respond and assess the situation to ensure the safety of our community.”
- “Your well-being is our top priority, and we are here to support you. By working together and maintaining open communication, we can create a safer environment for everyone on campus.”
There are many resources for students to go to if they feel unsafe on campus. Students are encouraged to reach out if they need help.
Gubler stated all buildings have reliable security functions, including Resident Life staff, who perform rounds each night and are on call and UTPD regularly patrols all buildings. They are also reviewing security protocols and recommendations for safety.
“We remain committed to fostering a secure environment… our priority will always be the safety and well-being of our students,” Gubler said. “We appreciate students’ vigilance and willingness to share concerns, and we are here to work together to maintain a safe and supportive community.”
This incident is a startling reminder that anything can happen and to not be afraid of reporting anything they feel is important to UTPD. LiCalzi said they continue to receive calls and tips from community members.
LiCalzi said: “We want to stress that our priority is ensuring that victims receive the resources and help they need to cope with this incident. We will not seek action or get anyone in trouble for their actions that night; our focus is on providing the necessary support and resources through the university and our officers.”
For any information regarding this incident, safety concerns or help contact for non-emergency situations, you can call dispatch at 435-627-4300 or contact UTPD through the myUT app. For emergencies, call 911.
