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Runner says man jumped out at her
UMW student recounts her scare while running on Hanover Street
BY ELLEN BILTZ
Date published: 8/17/2008
BY ELLEN BILTZ
When Lauren Murrey checked her student e-mail July 10 and learned that a young woman had been attacked while running near the track at Mary Washington University, she was frightened.
The rising senior flashed back to nine days earlier, when she had been caught off guard by a man who lunged at her while she was running on nearby Hanover Street.
"He just jumped up from the gravel and looked at me really aggressively," Murrey said.
The 21-year-old psychology major said she ran to a friend's house nearby, but no one was home. She then headed for the Sunken Well Tavern, where she works as a waitress.
A co-worker called the police, and Murrey sat--speechless, sweaty and scared--until the officer came to take her statement.
Murrey said she was admittedly "out of it" when the officer came in because she felt that the man intended to hurt her, but she tried to answer the officer's questions.
Murrey said she didn't feel that she was taken seriously, and that police incorrectly described her actions in later news reports about the attack on the jogger. She contacted The Free Lance-Star last week to set the record straight.
"I felt like he thought I was just another blond girl running down the street," she said of the officer who responded to the call. "I felt like he was just so nonchalant."
A police report of Murrey's incident was never made. Fredericksburg Police Department spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said that's because no crime was committed. Murrey was not physically harmed.
Murrey said she understands that, but she wants the public to know that she did talk to police about the incident.
a warning to runners
After the other woman was attacked July 10, Murrey went back to police to tell them she believed that suspect may be the man who frightened her.
The report that he was 6-foot-2 triggered something because she remembered the man as being tall, she said.
Based on information from police, The Free Lance-Star incorrectly reported that Murrey hadn't told police about her incident until after the July 10 attack.
Bledsoe said that when she gave the newspaper that information, the timing was unclear because there was no police report on the earlier incident.
Read more stories about Fredericksburg
Date published: 8/17/2008
Most recent reader comments:
I don't like hand guns?
(posted by
GaryShorts
, Aug. 19, 2008 7:51 pm)
You've gone crazy imready. I am a proud gun owner of a collection of pistols, rifles, and shotguns who has all the legal permits . That is why I carry a loaded gun everywhere I go such as church, the gym, or grocery store. What I don't like are guns pointed at me, and I especially don't like them when they are fired at me.
Women are nervous so what is the answer?
(posted by
imready
, Aug. 18, 2008 7:13 pm)
The answer is don't go running alone. The answer is not to panic. Run with a friend. Preferably a big male friend. Or if its a pair of ladies running both of you take cell phones. If someone grabs one of you the other can always call 911. Take a handgun if you have a carry permit and a shoulder holster but I can tell you if you run any distance with a pistol you better have a good one or the gun will beat you to death. Watch out for Garyshorts and hist "Handguns Unfair to Criminals" sign. LOL.
didn't take her seriously????
(posted by
meanasasnake
, Aug. 18, 2008 9:03 am)
I saw the city detectives on the news describing what happened to her and relating it to the other incident, so obviously they talked to her too. Should we all call the police every time someone looks at us funny?
So no crime was committed,
(posted by
bubbleman
, Aug. 17, 2008 10:48 pm)
but in light of the recent incidents in the area, you would think police would follow up and try some fresh tracks to possibly ID this guy and perhaps relate him to actual crimes, maybe a visual ID from one of the crime victims accosted in similar circumstances in that area. Seems they couldn't be bothered.
Biffer can you tell me what crime was committed?
(posted by
imready
, Aug. 17, 2008 10:11 pm)
She said he jumped off the gravel - whatever that means - and stared aggressively at her - whatever that means. I know something about the law. Neither jumping off the gravel or staring agressively is a crime. So what was the crime? If FLS is going to report a crime FLS should at least state the crime. btw, don't take GaryShorts with you. If I recall this correctly GaryShorts does not like handguns and would not want this lady to have one to defend herself from someone actually committing a crime.
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