River Forest Police responded about 6 p.m. on Oct. 17 to a domestic disturbance at Concordia University Chicago Christopher Center, according to a university release. The campus was placed on lockdown about 20-minutes later.
The incident involved a woman who was attending a “domestic violence event” and a male assailant, said Eric Matanyi, spokesman for Concordia. He said neither were students, faculty or staff. “They are members of the larger external community,” he said. The victim refused medical attention.
The man fled 7400 Augusta St. on foot. During that time, police received a separate call saying a Concordia student heard “loud noises” in a residence hall. Officers searched the residence hall and determined the sounds were not gunfire or related to the domestic incident.
Concordia remained on lockdown until 9:58 p.m., “when the River Forest Police Department indicated that there was no longer a threat to campus its students, faculty, staff or visitors [sic],” the release said. The release noted there is also no ongoing threat to the village of River Forest.
River Forest police consider this an ongoing criminal investigation and continue to look for the man involved in the situation, the release said. Police Chief James O’Shea did not immediately respond to an interview request.
In a statement, outgoing Concordia President Daniel Lee Gard called the incident “challenging,” “complicated” and “difficult.” He encouraged the university community to lean on Concordia Ministry staff and the counseling center for support.
“I am thankful to the Lord that, as difficult as the evening was, our campus community was not endangered. His hand of protection has indeed been upon us,” Gard said in a statement.
–Nona Tepper
