Starting near the month of October, Bloomington regularly sees an uptick in sexual assaults. Students of IU Bloomington are regularly told by IUPD to remain vigilant around campus, especially when walking alone and at night. However, two of the most disturbing instances of sexual violence happened at two very public areas.
Brian Jones, a Bloomington resident, faces multiple felony charges including attempted rape and sexual battery, after police say he tackled a woman near Dunn’s Woods and attempting to assault her. It happened on November 10th,2023. Bystanders in the area scared Jones off by yelling and gathering around the scene. One witness even followed Jones on foot until police successfully apprehended him.

However, Jones faced similar charges in an instance back on June 27th, just five months prior to the previously mentioned case. Police say Jones followed his victim from Seminary Park after initially approaching her. The victim made their way towards the IU campus, nearing 7th and Indiana, when Jones tackled her and attempted to sexually assault her. In that moment, two bystanders, Mackenzie Bridges and her boyfriend Austin Turpin, arrived on the scene.

 

Turpin and Bridges were unfamiliar with the area they were driving in on November 10th. After attempting to make their way home, the two heard screaming. Upon hearing that it was surely a cry for help, Turpin rushed into action, heading into the dark in an attempt to help the victim.

“It just felt wrong not to do anything. I heard someone yelling for help and my instincts just kicked in,” Turpin said.

After finding the victim and rushing her away to the police department, Turpin realized he was familiar with Jones and they had attended the same high school, Bloomington South. Turpin recalls Jones as a friendly and outgoing student, who was friends with many people. He even remembers Jones as a hyper-athletic person who had plenty of talent.

“It’s just a shame seeing something like this happen when it comes to knowing that person,” Turpin said. “You never would have guessed it.”

Turpin believes that it is important to stick up for others and do your best to watch out for fellow citizens and residents. IUPD also commends the bystanders in both cases who successfully stopped the assaults in progress in a statement they made to the public.

Bridges was the driver that night, being the first to actually see Jones and the victim. After hearing the screams she was initially hesitant for Turping to exit the vehicle, not knowing what might happen.

“In a siatuation like that where you have no idea what’s going on or how dangerous it is, I was scared,” Bridges said. “I didn’t want him to get out of the car at first.”

Bridges gave her statement to the police and did her best to help all involved after driving to the police station, but following that day, both Bridges and Turpin heard very little about the case. After the victim left the state and did not wish to pursue the case, charges were dropped and Jones was deemed incompetent to stand trial. Jones walked free, which did not sit right with Bridges.

“It’s heartbreaking that something like this can happen twice,” Bridges said. “It makes you feel way less safe in your own city.”