Suspect from Sept. 26 assault arrested, jailed without bond

October 1, 2025

Following today’s Recorder’s Court of Columbus proceedings, the Columbus State University Police Department is now able to provide additional details about the Sept. 26 assault of a university student in a downtown Columbus parking deck.

On Friday, Sept. 26, at approximately 12:29 p.m., a Columbus State student was walking to their vehicle when they were assaulted and their vehicle hijacked by a suspect later identified as Hosni Batebawia. He fled in the vehicle to Phenix City, Alabama—thereby eliminating any ongoing imminent threat to other students.

The Phenix City Police Department pursued the suspect back into Columbus, where he wrecked the stolen vehicle he was driving at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Linwood Boulevard. He fled on foot until Columbus Police and Phenix City officers apprehended him. He was treated for injuries at Piedmont Columbus and later booked into the Muscogee County Jail.

Batebawia appeared in Recorder’s Court on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Following courtroom testimony by a university police officer, he was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of rape, one count of aggravated sexual battery, and theft by taking (felony). The charges also included hijacking a motor vehicle, which the District Attorney’s Office amended from a second-degree to a first-degree offense. Batebawia is now being held in jail without bond as he awaits trial.

UPD Chief Debra Kennedy emphasized that protecting the victim’s identity and dignity—and the safety of all who study, live and work at Columbus State—is paramount for her department.

“Our priority is creating a campus where everyone feels safe, supported and respected. We stand with victims and work every day to build a community of trust and care,” she said, drawing from her 33-plus-year public safety career, which has included experience in juvenile justice, sex crimes and domestic violence. She also expressed appreciation to the Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Phenix City Police Department for their assistance with the case.

Dr. Gina Sheeks, vice president for student affairs, explained that the university supports students who are victims of crime. In this instance, services directly provided by the University Police Department and other campus-based student services have included counseling and mental health support, residence life community resources, and victim assistance and advocacy guidance.

Since her appointment in June 2025, Kennedy has been evaluating public safety measures on both the downtown RiverPark Campus and the university’s Main Campus near midtown Columbus. Those include an already layered campus policing approach that includes foot, bicycle, and vehicle patrols, escort services provided by UPD officers and/or virtually through the university’s Rave Guardian app, and emergency call boxes.

Following last week’s attack, Kennedy said her team is increasing the number and visibility of officers patrolling and providing escorts on the RiverPark Campus; assessing lighting and other environmental concerns, especially in the parking decks and lots the university leases; and promoting safety, training and mobile safety programs like the Rave Guardian app for RiverPark students and employees. She is also ensuring that Columbus State benefits from the multi-jurisdictional resources provided in the downtown area by the Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and Uptown Columbus.

Because the investigation into the Sept. 26 incident is ongoing, Kennedy and others in the University Police Department are limited in any further information it can share at this time.