After being robbed at gunpoint in their fraternity house, members of Phi Kappa Theta are exploring ways to increase safety and security.
“We have begun looking into possible security system options,” said chapter president Neema Katibai.
Brighter lighting and motion sensors will be added outside the Fairfield Street house, he said. The house is just beyond the campus gates across from Calihan Hall.
Several fraternity members and their friends – seven persons in all – were victimized when two young men pushed their way into the house around 4 a.m. on Saturday.
The suspects were carrying weapons, and ordered the students in the house to lie on the floor. They took their keys, wallets and phones, and fled the scene.
Both suspects were described as black males in their early twenties. One was clean shaven with dreadlocks and carrying a long gun. The other, armed with a handgun, covered his face with a green scarf.
According to a campus-wide safety notice released by the Department of Public Safety, the first suspect knocked on the door and asked if there was a party, which the students denied.
He returned later with the second suspect, and knocked again. The two men then forced their way into the house.
Alex Erickson-Suzuki, vice president of the fraternity, told M-Live that the ordeal, which lasted minutes, was unsettling.
“Some guys are definitely shaken up,” he said. “They had guns pointed in their face.”
No one was assaulted during the robbery, but several brothers are now missing credit cards, phones and other property.
Public Safety officers are urging students and staff to always be aware of their surroundings.
“Ultimately, we are thankful that the incident ended without injury,” said president Katibai.
Detroit Police and UDM Department of Public Safety urge anyone who sees suspicious activity or has any information regarding this incident to call 313-993-1234.
