“I’m still not kinda believing that it really happened to me because you hear about those things all the time, but you never really think it can happen to you,” a Georgia State University student says.
On Wednesday evening, the Georgia State University Police Department arrested Donny Techiera, a student at the university, after multiple reports of unlawful surveillance inside campus restrooms. Now, a Georgia State student, who asks not to be identified, speaks out after reporting the incident.
“I was like, wow, you’re not even safe at school. Obviously, Georgia State does all that it can to make it a safer environment for students, but at the end of the day, always be on the lookout and be aware of you’re surroundings because anything can happen at any time,” the student says.
The incident took place on Monday. But by Tuesday, the police department had three reports linked to their suspect. Anthony Coleman, a major at GSU PD, says the arrest came a day later when police located Techiera in the hallways of Classroom South.
Just based on complaints and following up on complaints. And we’re able to track the individual. Once we tracked the individual, we made the arrest,” Major Coleman says.
And for those affected, it brought relief.
“Yeah, I was like um keeping up with every now and then I would refresh the news report just to see the updates and finding out he was arrested was… I was very happy and relieved, and it definitely brought closure to the situation knowing that he’s charged, and he’ll be in jail and away from the public,” the student says.
Techiera is now charged with one count of public indecency and two counts of unlawful surveillance. The police department says the dean of students will decide further disciplinary action for Techiera.
“I’m kinda in disbelief, but I have kinda accepted it, and I’m really, really glad that he got caught,” the student says.
And the police department advises students to stay aware of their surroundings.
“It’s one of those things that a crime was perpetrated by a student, and we just ask that everybody just be aware of their surroundings and really just pay attention to what is going on around you,” Major Coleman says.
Note: This story was written for PRN, the student-led news station at Georgia State University.
