Student fights back against armed robber as passersby look on

Warning: This article contains graphic images and video of gun-related attacks which some readers may find distressing.

Police have issued a warning to students at the University of Chicago following two armed robberies that occurred on the same day.

On Wednesday (18 April), two incidents took place at the University of Chicago which saw three students stopped by armed robbers. However, instead of simply handing over their belongings, one student ended up confronting one of the suspects, the altercation caught on CCTV.

At around 2:50pm on Wednesday, two students were apprehended by four suspects armed with handguns while walking along 5640 S. University Ave.

The students were commanded to hand over their belongings by the suspects who took them before going to a black car and driving off, FOX 32 Chicago reports.

Just five minutes later, two gunmen then approached another student who was walking along 1367 E. 56th St - a street located off-campus.

The student - Maddi - was walking back home from class when 'a man in a mask' approached her, however, instead of handing over her belongings or turning and fleeing, she confronted the suspect - the altercation caught on camera.

The incident was the second armed robbery to take place near the university that day (YouTube/ ABC 7 Chicago)

Maddi told NBC the man grabbed her phone and instead of flight, her 'fight definitely kicked in' instead.

She explains she got her hands on the weapon and managed to 'take the magazine' out of the weapon before tossing it 'into a bush' - the kerfuffle documented on CCTV. Another person sat on the grass in front of the pair seemingly just watching.

"But at that moment, I didn't know what I was grabbing," Maddi continues. "I think fight definitely kicked in, but I'm in no way advocating of resisting armed robbery. I think it was really not the right decision looking back on it."

Maddi resolves: "I don't blame the campus. I don't blame the bystander. I don't blame the police - they did a great job. I think it's just finding the people who did this attack, because they will do it again."

The two attacks in the same day follow on from three other attacks which took place last month and UChicago Police has since issued a warning alongside some advice to students.

Maddi ended up grabbing the gun from one of the armed robbers (ABC 7 Chicago)

UChicago Police warned: "Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not resist an armed robbery unless absolutely necessary.

"Avoid using cell phones or other electronic devices while on the street.

"When walking, try to walk with a group or have a friend walk with you. There is safety in numbers."

The University of Chicago has also said it will be increasing police patrols around the area.

UNILAD has contacted the University of Chicago and UChicago Police for comment.

Topics: Crime, Gun Crime, Police, True crime, US News, Chicago

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.