Columbus State taking new safety steps after student was assaulted. What we know
Columbus State University announced Wednesday it is increasing the number of officers patrolling and providing escorts at its downtown campus after a student was allegedly sexually assaulted.
Hosni Batebawia, 20, is charged with aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery, rape, aggravated assault with the intent to rape, first degree hijacking a motor vehicle and theft by taking motor vehicle in connection after he allegedly raped a CSU student Friday in a city parking deck that serves the CSU Riverpark campus in downtown Columbus.
CSU said in a news release Wednesday that CSU police will increase officer numbers and visibility of officers patrolling and will provide escorts in the downtown Riverpark campus.
The release says CSU police are also “assessing lighting and other environmental concerns, especially in the parking decks and lots the university leases; and promoting safety, training and mobile safety programs such as the Rave Guardian app for RiverPark students and employees.”
CSU Police Chief Debra Kennedy has been evaluating public safety measures on both the Riverpark campus and the main campus since her appointment in June 2025, according to the news release.
Kennedy and others can’t release more information because of the ongoing investigation, CSU said in a news release.
New details on suspect’s arrest from Columbus State
Capt. Ashley Cook from CSU PD testified in court Wednesday about the case, saying that the victim was approached by Batebawia in the parking deck on Sept. 26, and he asked for her number. She said no, but as she went to get into her car, Batebawia blocked her from entering, Cook said.
Cook said in court that Batebawia allegedly forcibly removed the victim’s clothes and sexually assaulted her. He also hit and choked her, Cook said, and the victim had visible bruising around her neck. Batebawia took the victim’s car, Cook testified.
CSU said in its news release Wednesday that Batebawia took the victim’s car and fled to Phenix City, “thereby eliminating any ongoing imminent threat to other students.”
CSU said the Phenix City Police Department pursued the suspect back into Columbus, where he wrecked the stolen vehicle at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Linwood Boulevard.
Batebawia fled on foot until he was apprehended by officers from PCPD and the Columbus Police Department, according to the news release.
In Wednesday’s court hearing, Judge David Ranieri found probable cause on all charges and bound the case over to Superior Court, which is where Batebawia would face a criminal trial in the future.
Ranieri ordered Batebawia be held in jail without bond.
Suspect’s previous arrest and conviction
Jail records indicate Batebawia had previously been arrested in October 2024 on charges of public indecency, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers and terroristic threats and acts. Batebawia was convicted of those charges.
He was released from jail in that case Friday, the same day of the alleged sexual assault, jail records show.