The student suffered minor injuries after a group followed the student into the North Philadelphia residence hall lobby.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Temple University and Philadelphia police are searching for teenagers who chased a student into Morgan Hall South early Sunday, struck the student in the lobby and damaged university property, campus officials said.
The attack has drawn concern because it moved from the street into one of Temple’s busiest residence halls, turning a late-night campus safety alert into a wider investigation. By Thursday, no arrests had been publicly announced, and investigators were still reviewing video and still images to identify the group.
The assault happened at about 2:50 a.m. Sunday, April 19, at Morgan Hall South on Temple’s Main Campus in North Philadelphia. Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin told the campus community in a timely warning that a Temple student was chased into the lobby by a group of juveniles. Once inside, Griffin said, the group struck the student. The student suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment. Temple said its Division of Student Affairs was supporting the student after the attack.
Temple Police Deputy Chief Gaetano Sava described the incident as a brief but chaotic fight involving several juveniles. “It was kind of a scuffle between the student and multiple juveniles,” Sava said in a television interview, adding that the group was “hitting him, pushing him down, pushing him around.” Temple police said the group also damaged property inside the lobby. Local reports said the damage included a smashed monitor at the security desk. A campus security officer also was assaulted during the incident but was not injured, according to The Temple News.
Police released surveillance images of at least nine young males believed to be connected to the attack. Some wore hoodies or face coverings, while others’ faces were visible in the images. Philadelphia police gave a broader estimate of 10 to 13 juveniles in one account. Investigators also obtained cellphone video that showed part of the disorder in the lobby. Officials have not said what led to the chase, whether the student knew anyone in the group or whether the student was targeted before reaching the building.
Temple police are working with the Philadelphia Police Department and safety officials from the School District of Philadelphia to identify the people involved. Campus officials also said they increased patrols in the area and added more surveillance camera monitoring after the attack. No charges had been announced by Thursday. Police have not publicly said whether the teenagers are Philadelphia students, Temple students or people from outside the school community. Officials also have not released a motive or said whether robbery was part of the case.
Morgan Hall is one of Temple’s most visible housing complexes. The university describes it as a three-building complex with two residential buildings and a three-story dining facility. Morgan Hall North is a 27-story tower, and Morgan Hall South is a 10-story building. The complex houses about 1,275 students in apartment-style rooms. Its location along North Broad Street places it near a busy part of campus that draws students, visitors and neighborhood traffic at most hours.
The case also comes one year after Temple students raised concerns about groups of minors gathering near campus. In April 2025, university officials said four Temple students were assaulted after minors gathered near Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Two students needed medical attention after that earlier incident, and another student was robbed but not seriously hurt. Temple officials at the time said they had been in contact with Philadelphia police about planned and unannounced juvenile gatherings near the campus area.
Students who spoke with local television stations said the assault made the dorm lobby feel less separate from the street outside. Sophomore Emanuel Turner said the incident put the danger “into perspective” because students often think first about class and schoolwork, not personal safety. Another student, Isatu Bah, said it was unsettling that the group made it into the building at all, because a deeper breach could have carried the disorder closer to student rooms.
The investigation remains open, and the student was reported to be recovering from minor injuries. The next major step is expected to be an arrest announcement or a public update from Temple and Philadelphia police identifying any suspects in the case.
Author note: Last updated April 23, 2026.