Third-year College student Thomas "Gary" Sharp was assaulted early Saturday morning in the 1700 block of Gordon Avenue.
At approximately 2 a.m., near Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, a stocky, white male attacked Sharp from behind, according to Charlottesville Police.
Sharp, who was attacked in the middle of the street, landed on his arms and was later treated and released from the University Medical Center after having surgery performed on his forearm.
Police have not identified any suspects.
"You have to wonder what the motive is for someone to do this," Charlottesville Police Cpt. Chip Harding said. "It's kind of an unusual event."
According to Harding, no robbery occurred.
The case is currently under investigation by Charlottesville Police Det. Blaine Cosgro, who declined to comment.
"Obviously some sort of confrontation went on," Charlottesville Police Lt. J.W. Gibson said. "We are seeking anyone who was there."
Police often have trouble finding witnesses to these types of crimes.
"A lot of times, four or five people will see an event, and then they assume that the others have contacted the police," Charlottesville Police Sgt. Paul Davis said. "But what happens is that nobody contacts the police."
According to Davis, students share information with each other but do not pass it on to the authorities.
"We're just following all leads," Davis added. "We want any kind of witnesses."
Despite the fact that the incident appears to add to a string of recently reported assaults in the community, Davis attributes any perceived increases to media attention.
"I'm not seeing any alarming trend compared with recent years," he said.
According to University Police, the number of aggravated assault cases increased from six to nine in 2001.
"Because the numbers are so small, any fluctuation is magnified," University Police Cpt. Michael Coleman said. "Certainly we'd prefer not to have any incidents but we're happy at the fact that the Crime Incident Reports have been lower the past four years."
The current number of assaults today is about half of what it was in the 1970s, Coleman added.
Among the 40 public safety programs offered by the University Crime Prevention Unit, the emergency phones and the Yellow Cab Ride Program may aid in preventing student assaults while walking late at night or intoxicated.
"A person who is drinking heavily makes it more likely to be the victim or perpetrator of a crime," Coleman said. "While circumstances do happen no matter what, you can reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim."
Charlottesville Police encourage any possible witnesses to the Sept. 27 assault to call Officer Cosgro at 970-3272.
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