Madison detectives said sexual assault was most likely the motive in an attack against a University of Wisconsin-Madison female student on East Johnson Street Nov. 24.
The 21-year-old student was walking home at 2:47 a.m. on the 100 block of East Johnson Street when the suspect attacked her, beating her in the face and head, according to Madison Police Department Lt. Sherrie Strand.
An off-duty Madison firefighter saw the attack and “came to her rescue,” Strand said in a statement. The suspect ran away after the firefighter punched him in the face.
The victim sustained several cuts to the back of her head and received multiple staple stitches, according to police.
The firefighter’s quick actions “saved the victim from additional harm,” Madison Police Department Joel DeSpain said in a statement.
DeSpain also said Nov. 26 he is recommending the firefighter for an award within the police department for his actions.
According to the police report, the suspect is a blonde, white male in his late 20s to early 30s who stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall. Police released a sketch of the suspect Friday.
