Authorities: Temple student raped, another attacked

TWO TEMPLE University students were attacked, one of whom was sexually assaulted, in separate incidents Monday night in North Philadelphia, authorities said.

Philadelphia police said the victim in the rape, a 20-year-old woman, told investigators that it happened after she left the university's library about 11:15 p.m.

A man approached her from behind as she walked on Carlisle Street near Master and struck her arm with a small, silver handgun, police said.

The assailant told the woman not to scream and pushed her toward a construction area, where he assaulted her, police said. The man fled north on Carlisle after the assault.

Earlier in the night, about a block-and-a-half away, a 23-year-old woman was robbed and assaulted by two men on Thompson Street near 15th.

That woman was walking with two companions when the assailants approached about 10 p.m. The men grabbed the woman, threw her to the ground, took her purse and fled, police said.

One of the women reported seeing a handgun and hearing three shots fired, but no one was hurt.

Tipsters should call the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit, at 215-685-3252.

- Emily Babay of Philly.com contributed to this report.

On Twitter: @jbrandt_TU