On Friday evening, Jewish students at the University of Pittsburgh were reportedly attacked by a man with a bottle. According to the University, the man, identified as Jarrett Buba, was immediately arrested by authorities.
A man attacked 2 Jewish Pitt students with a glass bottle as they walked through campus Friday evening the suspect, 52-year-old Jarrett Buba was wearing a keffiyeh the checkered scarf that represents Palestinian solidarity amid the Israel-Hamas war. https://t.co/uomLtgOd43
— ZitoSalena (@ZitoSalena) August 31, 2024
Buba has been charged with two counts of simple assault, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, two counts of harassment, and one count of resisting arrest.
The students were walking on campus wearing yarmulkes at the time of the attack. According to the report made, one of the students made eye contact with Buba where he was sitting at a table across the street. He reportedly ran up to the students and attacked them from behind with a green glass sparkling water bottle.
The attack resulted in superficial lacerations. Buba was reportedly wearing a keffiyeh, which is a scarf that is known to be a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
One of the victims was able to tackle Buba and detain him until the authorities arrived and arrested him.
The Jewish students were treated on the scene for their injuries and were referred to campus resources for support following the traumatic attack.
“While there is not believed to be any ongoing threat to the public stemming from this incident, we recognize that incidents like these are unsettling to our Pitt community,” the university said. “To be clear: Neither acts of violence nor antisemitism will be tolerated.”
We recognize that incidents like these are disturbing to the Pitt community. The University Counseling Center is available to any student needing support, and Life Solutions is available to all faculty and staff members. Visit https://t.co/hPed29mgab for updates
— University of Pittsburgh (@PittTweet) August 30, 2024
This attack is reflective of antisemitism that has been spreading on a large scale throughout universities across the nation. Since the October 7th attack in Israel by Hamas, reports of antisemitism on college campuses have become common.
