A University of the District of Columbia (UDC) student-athlete is speaking out after she says she was violently assaulted and robbed while walking to basketball practice early Tuesday morning.
Nhaikyia Smith, a UDC basketball player, described the terrifying encounter to FOX 5 DC, recounting how she noticed someone following her before the attack.
“Next thing I knew, the guy came behind me and just started choking me,” Smith said. “He threw me to the ground, I have a bruise on my forehead, and then my eyes – he just started choking all the air out of me.”
A Fight for Survival
Smith fought back, managing to punch the suspect and break free long enough to scream for help. Her coach heard her cries, and teammates quickly called 911. The attacker fled the scene with Smith’s phone before police arrived.
Smith, shaken but determined, told FOX 5 she was thankful to be alive. “If it wasn’t for me trying to swivel out of his chokehold, I would not be here. I felt like I was passing out.”
Campus Safety Concerns
Following the incident, Smith expressed frustration with UDC’s campus safety measures, pointing to limited video surveillance and a lack of security during early morning practices.
“Especially when you have athletes that are practicing early in the morning and most of them are coming alone from apartments, you don’t know who is following you,” Smith said. “Just protect your players, your students, just protect them.”
In a statement, UDC officials confirmed that campus police are actively investigating the assault and pledged to provide updates as the case develops.
Police Response
The Metropolitan Police Department has not announced an active search for the suspect but urged anyone with information to contact investigators at 202-727-9099.
A Survivor’s Message
Despite her injuries and emotional distress, Smith shared a message of resilience and awareness. “No one deserves to go through what I went through,” she said. “I know God got me, and I’m going to be okay.”
She also encouraged other students to practice self-defense and remain vigilant: “Always be aware of your surroundings.”
The incident has sparked renewed conversations about student safety and security on urban college campuses, especially for athletes who often train before dawn.
