BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)– A Good Samaritan who interrupted a sex assault that was in progress on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder is questioning whether or not he’s a hero but is glad he was able to help someone in trouble.
“I don’t know whether or not I’m a hero but I’m glad I was able to be in the right place at the right time and do the right thing,” said CU student Max Demby.
Campus police say the suspect, identified as Andrew Bryant Souser, followed a female CU student from the University Hill neighborhood onto campus and then began assaulting her near the Engineering Center about 2 a.m. Saturday.
(credit: CBS)
Demby heard her screams and rushed to help. Demby said he was lucky to be there because it’s not his usual route home but for some reason the CU senior decided to walk through the engineering center.
“As soon as I heard her scream I knew something was wrong and from there on there was no debate in my head at all, I was on auto pilot,” said Demby.
Not knowing what danger he could face, Demby ran toward the screams, finally reaching the woman who was in trouble.
“She was resisting him but he was much bigger than her,” said Demby.
Good Samaritan and CU student Max Demby meets CU Campus Police Deputy Chief Ken Koch (credit: CBS)
Deputy Campus Police Chief Ken Koch said Demby scared off her attacker. Then he kept helping, staying with the woman and walking her home. She called police and so did another female student who described a similar attack.
Because the women came forward quickly, Koch said they were able to arrest the suspected attacker.
“They are as equally heroic, I think, in this event in the fact that they were willing to stand up for themselves, to involve law enforcement and seek justice,” said Koch.
Souser, 27, remains in custody and will face multiple charges. Police have not released his photo because officers are investigating whether he’s responsible for other unsolved sexual assaults in Boulder.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CU CAMPUS POLICE:
All available evidence in this investigation continues to indicate Souser was acting alone. However, CUPD still suspects additional victims may exist. CUPD is working with the Boulder Police Department, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office in seeking the public’s help to identify other victims or witnesses who Souser may have approached over the past two months. Anyone with tips should contact Det. Sgt. Steve Cowles at 303-492-2112.
