On Monday September 10th, two MAST Academy students were attacked by an unknown assailant while they were collecting data for their marine biology project. Miami-Dade County Public schools were not in session on Monday but because they attend FIU, they attended school for their college classes.
James Critz, 16, and Isabela Perdomo, 15, were both walking along a remote portion of Biscayne Bay Campus towards the bay when they were approached by an unknown man. They said hello and went on with collecting their data. He soon returned and beat them with a tree branch. Nothing was taken from either student and there was no sign of sexual assault, so the motivation behind the attack remains unclear.
Both students were immediately rushed to the hospital and remained in critical care. While Perdomo was released on Thursday, September 13, Critz who remained unconscious after the attack was released Saturday, September 15.
Perdomo was recently named an Eco-Hero for her creation of Cleaner Bottoms, an ultrasonic sound wave machine that would replace chemicals used to clean boat bottoms and prevent toxic waste from entering the ocean. Her work has also been recognized by the U.S. Navy, and she will be going to Antarctica with ZooMiami director Ron Magill as part of the contest prize for her work.
Police are still searching for the subject who is being described as 16-18 years old, of medium complexion and was roughly 5’10 wearing a white t-shirt and black basketball shorts. FIU’s Chief of Police is asking the student body and community to remain vigilant on campus and report any information regarding the attack or suspicious activity that may arise on campus.
If you have any information regarding the attack, please call FIU police at (305) 348-2626.