Police have no leads in sexual assault case

Boston University police have not identified a suspect in an alleged sexual assault in a Warren Towers bathroom two weeks ago, police officials said.

After watching security tapes and interviewing every resident of the 16th floor of Shields Tower -- where a female visitor reported she was assaulted in the bathroom at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 -- the BU Police Department has come up dry, the chief said.

"We have no further leads, no further information on any suspect," said BUPD Chief Thomas Robbins. "No one has come forward with any information to move this case to any specific suspect."

The alleged attacker was described by the guest as a white male in his early 20s with shoulder-length brown hair, 5-foot-10 and weighing 170 pounds.

Rape investigators are still analyzing "forensic evidence" from the scene of the crime, Robbins said.

"This isn't a case that we drop," he said. "We are actively investigating this case . . . until we have exhausted every single lead that we have."

BUPD officers are also assigned to random patrols of Warren and other large dorms, Robbins said.

The chief and Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore, who is traveling, plan to address students in Warren about the investigation this week.

"The students are not in any imminent threat of danger," said BUPD Sgt. Jack St. Hilaire.

Danielle Manning, who lives on 16C, said she has heard very little from her floormates about the incident since it was reported more than two weeks ago.

"It's been quiet on the floor," the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences freshman said. "People aren't talking about it."

Since the report surfaced, sexual assault awareness has been a topic of discussion across campus, particularly at some events hosted by the Student Union and Every Person Counts, formerly the Women's Center.

Many students have pressed the administration to institute an alcohol "amnesty" policy that would allow students to report emergencies without the threat of serious punishment when underage drinking is involved. Although BU stated it will not consider such a policy, several officials have said students' safety takes priority over judicial action.

Anna Webster contributed reporting for this article.