Today, Monday, October 9, UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a report of a vehicle that drove by students and shot at them with an airsoft-type gun on Dole Street.  Airsoft guns fire small, plastic pellets that can cause injury.  Two students were treated for minor injuries on their arms and legs as a result of this incident, which occurred yesterday, Sunday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m..  Honolulu Police were contacted by the reporting parties.  The vehicle is described as a dark-colored SUV, but witnesses could not recall any further description.

It has been brought to the University’s attention that this is likely related to the TikTok challenge which has drawn law enforcement’s attention nationwide.  In this challenge, plastic pellets are shot from airsoft-type guns to hit unsuspecting individuals.  While these may not be lethal, this is an extremely dangerous activity that UH Mānoa takes very seriously.

If you know anything about this assault incident or any other similar incident, please notify the UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (808) 956-6911 or the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) at 911 if you have any information regarding any similar incident or if you observe suspicious people, vehicles, or activity on campus.

Remember: Responsibility is with the perpetrator, not the victim – no one deserves, asks for or provokes assault.  Please continue reading for safety tips and campus resources.

Safety Tips to Consider:

• E makaʻala – Be alert. Practice being aware and alert of your surroundings and remember that we cannot control everything around us. Every situation may be different, but being aware of warning signs can give you a head start.  Avoid distractions such as looking down at your phone while walking.
• E mālama pono – Stay safe. For example, practice encouraging friends to travel in pairs or with trusted companions, especially at night or in remote areas.
• Trust your intuition, if a situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative.
• Download the Mānoa Guardian app and use the Safety Timer feature to notify family, friends, or DPS staff if you are walking alone or in an unfamiliar place on campus. The safety timer acts as a virtual security escort and allows the user to set a timer for their walk across campus, send status updates, and get help instantly if needed.
• If you feel that you or others are in danger, or to report suspicious, illegal, or unusual activity on campus, call DPS at (808) 956-6911 or HPD at 911. You can also contact DPS through the Mānoa Guardian app or by using a blue light Emergency Call Box on campus.