This article was originally published in The University Press, Lamar University’s student newspaper, on April 26, 2018.
Story by Eleanor Skelton
UP contributor
Breland Patterson’s aunt posted a Facebook warning April 20, describing how Patterson was approached by a white female in her mid 40s driving a white car.
The woman rolled her window down and asked her niece, “Did you get the email, all classes were canceled.”
According to Ednika Williams’ post, which was shared more than 300 times, the woman continued to ask Patterson why she was still walking towards campus and offered her to give her a ride.
The windows were tinted and Patterson said she thought she saw someone in the back seat.
“I believe it was human traffickers,” Williams said in her Facebook post.
Her niece is 19-years-old, according to Williams’ post.
Lamar University Police Corporal Officer Jarrod Samford said that the incident was not reported the next Monday, after the officers saw the Facebook post and officers reached out to Patterson.
Although no crime was committed, he said that anyone who is involved in similar incidents should contact Lamar Police immediately.
“This is the only incident of this kind that I can recall,” Samford said.
If any other students are approached in a similar manner, he said they should walk away, just like Patterson did.
“If they continue to follow, yell at them to stop,” Samford said. “Yelling will get the attention of others around you. That is more people to identify them.”
Eleanor Skelton 