A Syracuse University student was assaulted Saturday at 1 a.m. on Waverly Avenue, said Department of Public Safety Chief Tony Callisto.

A passenger of a black SUV exited the car and struck the student once in the face, Callisto said. The suspect was described as a 5-foot-10 black male wearing a dark-colored jacket, according to an e-mail to the university community from DPS Tuesday evening. DPS is still looking for the man, according to the e-mail. DPS declined to release the victim’s name.

Video surveillance indicates that a snowball was thrown at the car, Callisto said, but not by the victim. Three passengers exited the car and one yelled to the student, asking why snowballs were being thrown at his car, Callisto said.

The victim fell to the ground after being struck and the passengers got back in the SUV and drove away, Callisto said.

The victim was with one other person who was unharmed, Callisto said.

DPS waited until Tuesday to release the information to ensure there were enough specific details on the car and the situation, Callisto said.

kronayne@syr.edu

Published on March 2, 2010 at 12:00 pm