On Jan. 5, a UTM student was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot outside of A Unit of University Courts.

The incident occurred about 6 p.m. According to UTM’s Office of Public Safety, the victim, a 19-year-old male, pulled in the parking lot and parked his vehicle. As he was walking away from his parked vehicle, he was approached by a purple car that entered the parking lot from Mt. Pelia Road.

The victim said the suspects in the purple car asked him if he knew how to get to Jackson. The victim said as he began to offer directions, one of the suspects in the car pulled out a pistol and demanded his wallet. The victim said he surrendered his wallet, and the suspects drove off.

Lt. Ray Coleman of Public Safety said that the victim did get a description of the suspects. "The two suspects were black males, approximately 6 feet tall and were driving a mid-size purple car," Coleman said.

"The victim in this incident took the correct action. The victim did as the suspects demanded and gave up the property. He then escaped the danger area and called our office," Coleman said.

Capt. Rick Hatler, director of Public Safety, said that his department is working with the Martin Police Depart-ment and that the information about the two suspects has been spread all over West Tennessee.

"We have had some leads to follow up on, but we need the assistance of the public," Hatler said.

Students at UTM seem shocked more than anything.

"It concerns me a little bit. I think I will be more cautious now, but it doesn't worry me that much," said Rachel Touchton, a freshman Music Education major from Murfreesboro.

"This is an extremely safe campus, but we are concerned about any type of offense that threatens the safety of any member of this university," Hatler said.

Lt. Darrell Simmons of Public Safety is the detective who has been assigned to this case.

Anyone with information needs to contact the Office of Public Safety at 587-7777.