Police say the 22-year-old student had only left her room for a few moments, and when she returned she noticed her closet door opening. A man came out of her closet and motioned for her to stay quiet.
Investigators say she pushed him, and he pulled a gun and pointed it toward the ceiling. The student started screaming, and the man ran off.
Other students say they saw the same man wandering in Willets Hall, another dormitory.
Swarthmore is an open campus, with no security checkpoints. It has long been a safe haven, popular with local residents with its open green spaces and arboretum.
Despite this incident, and another a couple of months ago, students tell Action News they still feel safe.
"It's a little bit frightening, but it was an isolated incident. We've had a couple, but public safety and Swarthmore Police always respond in an appropriate manner and they respond quickly," said student Katherine Riley.
The student involved in this incident was unharmed.
The suspect is described as a stocky black man in his 20s or 30s. He was wearing a cream colored skull cap, a light colored hoodie and gray sweatpants.
Anyone who knows this man is asked to call police at (610) 543-0123
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