Cal Poly Student Assaulted in Antisemitic Hate Crime

Suspects fled in a large white truck after the attack on a Jewish fraternity member.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

San Luis Obispo police are investigating an assault on a Cal Poly student as a hate crime. A group of males in a large white truck drove by the Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish fraternity, yelling antisemitic slurs. Five to six college-aged males then walked onto the fraternity property, got into a verbal altercation, and one suspect punched a fraternity member in the head before fleeing.

Why it matters

Antisemitic incidents and hate crimes targeting Jewish individuals and institutions have been on the rise in recent years, both on college campuses and in communities across the country. This attack highlights the ongoing challenges universities face in creating safe and inclusive environments for all students.

The details

According to a crime bulletin from the Cal Poly Police Department, the suspects were wearing trucker hats, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. The students reported the incident to the police on Monday, and Cal Poly's president sent an email condemning the "hateful acts" and stating that antisemitism and discrimination have no place at the university.

  • The incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. on Saturday night.
  • The students reported the crime to the police on Monday.

The players

Cal Poly

A public university located in San Luis Obispo, California.

Alpha Epsilon Pi

A Jewish fraternity at Cal Poly.

Jeffrey Armstrong

The president of Cal Poly.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Hateful acts that target members of our Jewish community are hurtful, disgusting and simply unacceptable. Antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination run counter to the values at Cal Poly and have no place at our university.”

— Jeffrey Armstrong, President of Cal Poly (Email to Cal Poly students and staff)

What’s next

The San Luis Obispo Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident and searching for the suspects.

The takeaway

This hate crime against a Jewish student at Cal Poly is a troubling reminder of the persistent problem of antisemitism on college campuses and the need for universities to take strong action to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and protect all students from discrimination and violence.