Investigations into the second-degree assault that took place just outside of Saint Louis University’s campus on Tuesday, April 3, continue.

A SLU student had just crossed the street at Lindell Boulevard and Vandeventer Avenue at about 10:20 p.m. when an unknown male attacked him from behind.

The two got into a struggle and the suspect fled after the student hit him several times.

The student did not have anything stolen from him, nor was he seriously injured, though he did sustain several small cuts to his abdomen, side and fists.

According to Jack Titone, SLU’s director of Public Safety, investigations into the assault have reached a standstill in a sense, as police have had no luck locating any suspects.

Investigations into a possible motive are still unclear as well, as “the victim indicated nothing was said to him,” said Titone. “Normally, if it is an attempt[ed] robbery, the wanted subject would indicate, ‘give me your money.’ This was not done.”

An attack is elevated to the second degree when a dangerous weapon is used in the attack.

In this case, it was a knife, thought to be “some type of box-cutter device,” said Titone.

Because the attack took place just outside of SLU’s jurisdiction, St. Louis City police have taken over the investigation.