Campus Alert Archive
UTC

Unknown man entered an apartment and used pepper spray

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TNassaulttimely warninghigh confidence
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Under Investigation

A delayed report said an unknown man entered an open apartment at about 2 a.m. and used pepper spray. Police also called it an aggravated burglary.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Public R2 · TN
All UTC cases →
~11,400 studentsUTC-Alert
Official alert policy
Read when and how UTC says it will use UTC-Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTWebsite
Verified verbatim3394 chars
This is a Timely Warning regarding a crime that was reported to have occurred on University-owned, controlled, or adjacent property. On Friday, February 28, 2025, at approximately 3:30 PM, the UTC Police Department received a delayed report of a Simple Assault and Aggravated Burglary. The victim, a UTC student, reported that on February 28, 2025, at approximately 2:00 AM, she was in her apartment at West Campus Housing when an unknown suspect entered the open apartment door. The victim stated that the suspect, described as a white male wearing a camouflage hat, then sprayed her with Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray (commonly known as "Pepper Spray" ) and quickly left the apartment. This crime is actively under investigation by the UTC Police Department, who have identified potential suspects. If you have any information about this incident, please call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357. About UTC-ALERT: Timely Warnings Timely Warnings are issued by the UTC Department of Public Safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S. Code § 1092; 34 CFR 668.46e). The University takes its duty to protect the community seriously. Informing the UTC community regarding reported crimes allows community members to be situationally aware, make educated decisions about their personal safety, and be reminded of how to access University and community resources. Safety Tips: Burglary Ensure that all residential doors and windows are closed and locked. Do not prop open doors. When entering or exiting a residence hall or other locked building, make sure the door closes behind you. Do not allow unauthorized persons into locked buildings. Report inoperable locks to Facilities, Planning, and Management (FPM) or the Department of Housing & Residence Life, Housing Facilities. General Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Follow your instincts. Safety is the priority. If you feel you are in danger, take action. Move away from the threat, cross the street, increase your pace, or run to safety. Report all suspicious activity (persons, vehicles, and activities), even if you are not directly threatened, to the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357. If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime, we encourage you to report the incident as soon as possible. This allows for appropriate measures to be taken for your safety and the safety of others. Reporting & Resources: Report a crime on-campus From any cellular or off-campus telephone, call (423) 425-HELP/4357. From any on-campus telephone, dial 911. Press the "HELP" button at any Blue Light Call Box or Emergency Call Box. Report a crime off-campus From any telephone, dial 911. UTC Resources UTCares: (423) 425-CARE/2273. Counseling Center: (423) 425-4438. Office of the Dean of Students: (423) 425-4761 Office of Student Outreach & Support: (423) 425-2299. Survivor Advocacy Services: (423) 425-5648. Office of Title IX Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: (423) 425-4255. Chattanooga / Hamilton County Resources Chattanooga Police Department - Victim Services: (423) 643-5351. District Attorney’s Office for the 11th Judicial District - Victim/Witness Coordinator: (423) 209-7400. Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults - Rape Crisis Center: (423) 755-2700. Message issued on 3/3/2025 at 10:00 AM
Verify this quote
UTC-ALERT status archiveutc.edufind archived copies
Dual fetch of the alerts-status page on 2026-10-12. After scripts and Cloudflare email hashes are removed, both copies of this message match.
The issued line gives the minute. Seconds are not in that line.
3394 characters. sha256 9817c88a9ac5ec69cb706132e89edd461ca614ceeffb55a166747b6c092e0603.
The warning covers both a simple assault and an aggravated burglary. The case type records the assault.
SPN not attempted at 10:15Z
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, SuperGrok Heavy 4.5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

This is a Timely Warning regarding a crime that was reported to have occurred on University-owned, controlled, or adjacent property. On Friday, February 28, 2025, at approximately 3:30 PM, the UTC Police Department received a delayed report of a Simple Assault and Aggravated Burglary. The victim, a UTC student, reported that on February 28, 2025, at approximately 2:00 AM, she was in her apartment at West Campus Housing when an unknown suspect entered the open apartment door. The victim stated that the suspect, described as a white male wearing a camouflage hat, then sprayed her with Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray (commonly known as "Pepper Spray" ) and quickly left the apartment. This crime is actively under investigation by the UTC Police Department, who have identified potential suspects. If you have any information about this incident, please call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357. About UTC-ALERT: Timely Warnings Timely Warnings are issued by the UTC Department of Public Safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S. Code § 1092; 34 CFR 668.46e). The University takes its duty to protect the community seriously. Informing the UTC community regarding reported crimes allows community members to be situationally aware, make educated decisions about their personal safety, and be reminded of how to access University and community resources. Safety Tips: Burglary Ensure that all residential doors and windows are closed and locked. Do not prop open doors. When entering or exiting a residence hall or other locked building, make sure the door closes behind you. Do not allow unauthorized persons into locked buildings. Report inoperable locks to Facilities, Planning, and Management (FPM) or the Department of Housing & Residence Life, Housing Facilities. General Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Follow your instincts. Safety is the priority. If you feel you are in danger, take action. Move away from the threat, cross the street, increase your pace, or run to safety. Report all suspicious activity (persons, vehicles, and activities), even if you are not directly threatened, to the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357. If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime, we encourage you to report the incident as soon as possible. This allows for appropriate measures to be taken for your safety and the safety of others. Reporting & Resources: Report a crime on-campus From any cellular or off-campus telephone, call (423) 425-HELP/4357. From any on-campus telephone, dial 911. Press the "HELP" button at any Blue Light Call Box or Emergency Call Box. Report a crime off-campus From any telephone, dial 911. UTC Resources UTCares: (423) 425-CARE/2273. Counseling Center: (423) 425-4438. Office of the Dean of Students: (423) 425-4761 Office of Student Outreach & Support: (423) 425-2299. Survivor Advocacy Services: (423) 425-5648. Office of Title IX Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: (423) 425-4255. Chattanooga / Hamilton County Resources Chattanooga Police Department - Victim Services: (423) 643-5351. District Attorney’s Office for the 11th Judicial District - Victim/Witness Coordinator: (423) 209-7400. Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults - Rape Crisis Center: (423) 755-2700. Message issued on 3/3/2025 at 10:00 AM

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    25 of 25 passes marked this present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: First reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    2. present: Second reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    3. present: Third reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    4. present: Fourth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    5. present: Fifth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    6. present: Sixth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    7. present: Seventh reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    8. present: Eighth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    9. present: Ninth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    10. present: Tenth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    11. present: Eleventh reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    12. present: Twelfth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    13. present: Thirteenth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    14. present: Fourteenth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    15. present: Fifteenth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    16. present: Sixteenth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    17. present: Seventeenth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    18. present: Eighteenth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    19. present: Nineteenth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    20. present: Twentieth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    21. present: Twenty-first reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    22. present: Twenty-second reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    23. present: Twenty-third reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    24. present: Twenty-fourth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
    25. present: Twenty-fifth reading: present. The UTC Police Department is named, and the warning says Public Safety issues it.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    25 of 25 passes marked this present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: First reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    2. present: Second reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    3. present: Third reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    4. present: Fourth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    5. present: Fifth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    6. present: Sixth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    7. present: Seventh reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    8. present: Eighth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    9. present: Ninth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    10. present: Tenth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    11. present: Eleventh reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    12. present: Twelfth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    13. present: Thirteenth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    14. present: Fourteenth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    15. present: Fifteenth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    16. present: Sixteenth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    17. present: Seventeenth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    18. present: Eighteenth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    19. present: Nineteenth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    20. present: Twentieth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    21. present: Twenty-first reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    22. present: Twenty-second reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    23. present: Twenty-third reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    24. present: Twenty-fourth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
    25. present: Twenty-fifth reading: present. Simple assault and aggravated burglary are named.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    25 of 25 passes marked this present. West Campus Housing is named.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: First reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    2. present: Second reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    3. present: Third reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    4. present: Fourth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    5. present: Fifth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    6. present: Sixth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    7. present: Seventh reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    8. present: Eighth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    9. present: Ninth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    10. present: Tenth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    11. present: Eleventh reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    12. present: Twelfth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    13. present: Thirteenth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    14. present: Fourteenth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    15. present: Fifteenth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    16. present: Sixteenth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    17. present: Seventeenth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    18. present: Eighteenth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    19. present: Nineteenth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    20. present: Twentieth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    21. present: Twenty-first reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    22. present: Twenty-second reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    23. present: Twenty-third reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    24. present: Twenty-fourth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
    25. present: Twenty-fifth reading: present. West Campus Housing is named.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    25 of 25 passes marked this present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: First reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    2. present: Second reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    3. present: Third reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    4. present: Fourth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    5. present: Fifth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    6. present: Sixth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    7. present: Seventh reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    8. present: Eighth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    9. present: Ninth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    10. present: Tenth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    11. present: Eleventh reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    12. present: Twelfth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    13. present: Thirteenth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    14. present: Fourteenth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    15. present: Fifteenth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    16. present: Sixteenth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    17. present: Seventeenth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    18. present: Eighteenth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    19. present: Nineteenth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    20. present: Twentieth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    21. present: Twenty-first reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    22. present: Twenty-second reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    23. present: Twenty-third reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    24. present: Twenty-fourth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
    25. present: Twenty-fifth reading: present. The message says to lock residential doors and not to admit unauthorized people.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    25 of 25 passes marked this present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: First reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    2. present: Second reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    3. present: Third reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    4. present: Fourth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    5. present: Fifth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    6. present: Sixth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    7. present: Seventh reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    8. present: Eighth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    9. present: Ninth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    10. present: Tenth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    11. present: Eleventh reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    12. present: Twelfth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    13. present: Thirteenth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    14. present: Fourteenth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    15. present: Fifteenth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    16. present: Sixteenth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    17. present: Seventeenth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    18. present: Eighteenth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    19. present: Nineteenth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    20. present: Twentieth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    21. present: Twenty-first reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    22. present: Twenty-second reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    23. present: Twenty-third reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    24. present: Twenty-fourth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
    25. present: Twenty-fifth reading: present. "2:00 AM" and "3:30 PM" give the clocks.
  • Impactpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    25 of 25 passes marked this present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: First reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    2. present: Second reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    3. present: Third reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    4. present: Fourth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    5. present: Fifth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    6. present: Sixth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    7. present: Seventh reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    8. present: Eighth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    9. present: Ninth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    10. present: Tenth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    11. present: Eleventh reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    12. present: Twelfth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    13. present: Thirteenth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    14. present: Fourteenth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    15. present: Fifteenth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    16. present: Sixteenth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    17. present: Seventeenth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    18. present: Eighteenth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    19. present: Nineteenth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    20. present: Twentieth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    21. present: Twenty-first reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    22. present: Twenty-second reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    23. present: Twenty-third reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    24. present: Twenty-fourth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.
    25. present: Twenty-fifth reading: present. The suspect is described by appearance and clothing.

Coded by SuperGrok Heavy 4.5

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

One timely warning on the UTC-ALERT status archive, issued March 3 about a February 28 crime.
Analysis

Key Findings

The suspect was described as a white male in a camouflage hat.
The message tells residents to lock doors and not to let unauthorized people in.
Outcome
The crime was under investigation. Potential suspects had been identified.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    UTC-ALERT status archive
    utc.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Unknown man entered an apartment and used pepper spray." Incident of February 28, 2025. Added October 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/university-of-tennessee-at-chattanooga-west-campus-pepper-spray-2025-02-28/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
public-r2tennesseeassaultUnder Investigation
Added October 2026Updated October 2026Via ingestion