UPennAlert Archive

Penn Police responded to a report of gun shots fired in the 3000 block of Market Street. Upon arrival, police discovered that four suspects had fired shots at the complainant, who was injured in the shooting. The suspects, described as three Black males and one Black female, all wearing all black clothing, then fled on foot, heading westbound on Market Street from 30th Street. Police have the individuals in custody and have recovered a weapon.

UPDATE: Penn Police stopped the suspect at approximately 10 pm on Sunday, August 25th, and was positively identified by the complainant. Suspect now in custody. -------------------------------------------- On Sunday, August 25th, Penn Police responded to a report of a retail theft at the Acme grocery market in the 4000 block of Walnut Street. Upon arrival, police discovered that the suspect assaulted the security guard employed by Acme before running from the store on foot. The suspect was described as standing between 6'2" -6'5" tall, wearing a green dress, bald carrying a blond wig, with a dark complexion. The suspect was last seen heading south on 40th Street towards Locust Street. Police and Security are patrolling the area.

UPDATE: Suspect is in custody.  ---------------- UPDATE: All clear in the area of 3700 block Chestnut Street. You may resume usual activity. Police and Security continue to patrol the area. ------------------ UPennAlert: Attempted Indecent Assault in the 3700 block of Chestnut Street. Increased police activity in the area. Police on scene, use caution, avoid the immediate area. The suspect is described as a Black male, dark complected, 5" 10" tall, 190 lbs, approximately 30 years old, balding, wearing a white tee shirt and dark jeans. Last seen heading southbound on 38th Street towards Walnut Street.

Penn Police responded to a report of an assault with weapon at the 4000 block of Market Street. Upon arrival, police discovered that the suspect approached the complainant and struck him with a screwdriver. The suspect is described as a s a Black female, 5' 6", medium build, braided hair, many tattoos, wearing a green skirt. The suspect was last seen in the area of 40th and Market Streets. Minor minor physical injuries reported. Police and Security are patrolling the area.

Penn Police responded to a report of a theft of an occupied car in the 4300 block of Osage Avenue. Upon arrival, police discovered that the suspects approached the driver and demanded their vehicle at point of gun. The suspects are described as two Black males dressed all in black clothing, wearing face masks, driving a 2015 dark gray Nissan Sentra with Indiana license plate #824DBJ. The suspects were last seen heading eastbound on Osage towards 43rd Street. Police and Security are patrolling the area.

Penn Police responded to a report of a burglary at 40th and Spruce Streets. Upon arrival, police discovered that the suspect had smashed a window and entered a commercial property, then started a small fire. The Philadelphia Fire department responded with Police and quickly extinguished the fire. There are no reported injuries. The suspect is described as a Black male, medium build, wearing all black clothing and a large red hat. The suspect was last seen heading south on 40th Street from Pine Street. Police and Security are patrolling the area.

UPDATE: Upon further investigation this was found to be a false report. Original UPennAlert Posting: Penn Police responded to a report of a car theft at the intersection of 39th and Ludlow Streets. Upon arrival, police discovered that the suspect approached the driver and demanded their vehicle at point of gun. The suspect is described as a Black female, 5'4" tall, medium complexion, medium build, driving a white Buick LaCrosse with a temporary tag (paper license plate). The suspect was last seen heading west on Market Street from 39th Street. Police and Security are patrolling the area.

Penn and Philadelphia Police responded to a report of gun shots fired in the 4000 block of Market Street. Upon arrival, Police discovered that an individual had been shot and immediately transported to the hospital. Police are seeking persons of interest described as: Person of interest 1: Black male, thin build, wearing a black tank top and black pants. Person of interest 2: Black male, slightly heavy set build, wearing a long-sleeved white zip up jacket and black pants. They were last seen heading northbound on Preston Street from Market Street.

Penn Police responded to a report of a robbery with weapon in the 4000 block of Market Street. Upon arrival, Police discovered that the suspects approached the complainant and demanded their belongings. The suspects are described as a Black male 6', athletic build, wearing a purple hooded sweatshirt, black jacket, and black pants and carrying a black handgun, and a Black male 5' 10", thin build, wearing all black clothing. The suspects were last seen heading north on 41st Street from Market.

Update: All clear in the area of S. 32nd Street. You may resume usual activity. Increased police presence remains in the area. UPennAlert: Increased Police activity in the area of S. 32nd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. Police on scene, use caution, avoid the immediate area. Expect traffic delays in the area.

A large demonstration took place, ending in the area of 32nd Street between Chestnut and Market Streets.

Nineteen individuals, including 7 Penn students, were taken into police custody last night, following an attempt to occupy a Penn building. Twelve were issued citations for failure to disperse and failure to follow police commands and later released. Seven remain in custody awaiting felony charges, including one for assaulting a police officer. Upon clearing the building, Penn Police recovered lock-picking tools and homemade metal shields fashioned from oil drums. The exit doors had been secured with zip-ties, barbed wire, and barricaded with metal chairs and desks, and the windows were covered over with newspaper and cardboard. Bike racks and metal chairs were also found blocking outside entrances. Penn remains focused on maintaining the safety and security of our campus.

On Friday evening at approximately 8pm a large demonstration began west of campus. They started marching toward campus at approximately 8:45pm. The group traveled to the 3800 block of Walnut Street in front of the President’s residence. The crowd became disorderly and breached the exterior gate at the President’s House. Police regained control of the immediate area and the large crowd proceeded to travel to Chestnut Street, traveling east on Chestnut to 33rd, then north to Market Street where the disorderly crowd disbanded.

At approximately 5:30am this morning, Penn Police, with support from the Philadelphia Police Department, took steps to remove the unauthorized encampment on College Green. Protestors were given multiple warnings that they were trespassing and offered the opportunity to voluntarily leave and avoid citation. Those who chose to stay did so knowing that they would be arrested and removed. Approximately 33 individuals were arrested without incident and cited for defiant trespass.

UPennAlert: Large demonstration in the area of College Green. Police are on scene, use caution, avoid the area.

Penn Public Safety issued a UPennAlert at 11:19 a.m. and continues to provide updates to inform the Penn community of a large demonstration on College Green that is impacting pedestrian traffic in the area. Penn Police remain on site to ensure safety with the support of Philadelphia Police.

Penn and Philadelphia Police responded to a report of a retail robbery in the 3700 block of Walnut Street.  Upon arrival, the complainants stated two suspects entered the store, demanded merchandise, and left the store carrying a black duffle bag. No weapon was used and no injuries were reported. The suspects were described as a Black male, 6' tall, 20-25 years of age, dark complexion, hair in locs style, wearing Nike maroon shirt and sweatpants, ski mask, carrying a large black duffle bag, and a Black male, 5'8" tall, 20-25 years of age, thin build, hair in locs, black hooded sweatshirt and black pants, and black ski mask. The suspects were last seen heading west in the area of 3700 block of Sansom Street.

Penn and Philadelphia Police responded to a report of a retail robbery in the 3700 block of Walnut Street.  Upon arrival, the complainants stated suspects entered the store, demanded merchandise, and left the store carrying a black duffle bag. No weapon was used and no injuries were reported. The suspects were described as a Black male, light complexion, beard, hair in locs, thin build, 6' tall, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue medical mask; a Black male, thin build, hair in locs, 6' tall, wearing gray pants, and blue medical mask, carrying a black duffle bag, and a Black male, medium complexion, thin build, 6' tall, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants with yellow details, and blue medical mask. The suspects were last seen in the area of 3700 Walnut Street.

UPDATE: No injuries or building damage reported at this time. UPennAlert: Earthquake reported in the area. Public Safety personnel, Penn Facilities personnel and other first responders are checking all buildings. The Division of Public Safety has been in contact with the City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management who have advised on the following in the event of aftershocks: Stay where you are and Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Get under and hold on to sturdy furniture. Protect your head and neck with arms or pillows. If you are outside, move away from buildings. If you are in a damaged building, move outside. If you've been injured, or are with someone who's been injured, call Public Safety at 215-573-3333. Do not use elevators. At this time no injuries have been reported. The U.S. Geological Service is reporting a magnitude 4.7 earthquake in our region.