6 Columbia U Women Attacked With Chemical Spray: Police

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — At least six students were victims of a chemical spray attack on the campus of Columbia University on Friday, according to the NYPD.

A crowd of students were attending a demonstration on the iconic Low Library steps at about 2 p.m. when a pair of unknown people sprayed an unknown chemical irritant into the air, police said.

At least six students, all women aged between 19 and 24 years old, suffered from the mystery chemical spray assault, according to NYPD officials.

The assailants got away and are still at large, police said.

The demonstration when the attack occurred was a pro-Palestine rally, according to reports.

The Columbia Spectator, who first reported the story, said that based on their interviews, at least 10 students reported suffering from physical symptoms as a result, including burning eyes, headaches and nausea, with at least three later seeking medical attention.

One student told the Spectator one of the people who sprayed the substance into the crowd called the protesters "self-hating Jews," "Jew killers," and "terrorists."

According to The Intercept, a Columbia spokesperson appeared to blame the students for holding an "unsanctioned" event that "violated university policies and procedures which are in place to ensure there is adequate personnel on the ground to keep our community safe."

Following the publication of The Intercept's story, the university's interim provost, Dennis A. Mitchell, said that the attacks "appear to have been serious crimes, possibly hate crimes," while hinting that the school is aware of who the alleged attackers are.

"The University received additional information Sunday night," Mitchell wrote. "As a result, the alleged perpetrators identified to the University were immediately banned from campus while the law enforcement investigation proceeds."

A Columbia University spokesperson declined to provide additional details about the "alleged perpetrators," including if they were active Columbia students, or any other updates as of Tuesday afternoon.

A NYPD spokesperson said they did not have any information available regarding any persons of interest in the investigation.

Columbia's Department of Public Safety called the chemical spraying "incidents...of great concern."

"The Department has been actively working with local and federal authorities in this investigation, with the NYPD taking a lead role," the update from Sunday read.