Stanford University Police Hunt Armed Suspect Following Sexual Assault Of Jogger Near Mayfield Avenue

Stanford University police are searching for an armed man following the sexual assault of a jogger on Sunday evening near Mayfield Avenue.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 3:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Hoodline

Armed Assault on Campus Running Path

A violent sexual assault occurred on the Stanford University campus shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, according to reports from campus safety officials. A female jogger was navigating the area near the intersection of Mayfield Avenue and Santa Ynez Street when she was suddenly grabbed by an unknown male. The assailant reportedly forced the victim into a nearby landscaped area to carry out the assault before fleeing the scene on foot. The Stanford Department of Public Safety (DPS) received the formal report at approximately 8:25 p.m. and immediately launched a campus-wide alert.

Suspect Description and Tactical Warning

The university’s timely warning notice provides a specific description of the suspect, who remains at large. He is described as a darker-skinned male with short hair and brown eyes. At the time of the attack, he was seen wearing a light blue hooded sweatshirt and dark denim jeans. Notably, the victim reported seeing a semi-automatic handgun tucked into the suspect's waistband. Investigators also highlighted a distinct detail: the suspect was wearing a thick braided bracelet on his left wrist. Law enforcement officials are urging the public to exercise caution and avoid approaching anyone matching this description.

Enhanced Security Measures and Patrols

In response to the armed nature of the assault, Stanford DPS spokesperson Bill Larson confirmed that the university has implemented stepped-up patrols across all campus residential and recreational areas. Palo Alto Online reported that detectives are currently interviewing potential witnesses and reviewing available surveillance footage from nearby houses and campus facilities. The "very active" status of the investigation suggests that authorities are pursuing multiple leads as they attempt to track the suspect's path of egress following the 6:15 p.m. incident.