This story was reported for Annenberg Radio News by Jadon Frank and Spring Li.
Student witnesses have identified the alleged assaulter of USC professor Danyao Li.
A student called DPS at 11:05 a.m. Monday to report that a student had swung their metal water bottle at Li, hitting the professor on the head and prompting a response by medical officials and campus police.
Li is an assistant professor at the Price School of Public Policy who was teaching a class in VPD 112.
A corresponding LASD inmate booking shows that a 24-year-old by the name of Brianna Gallimore was arrested by USC police at about noon on Monday. Another student witness, Samson Hill, a senior studying English, confirmed that a person with the same name is a student in the class.
Gallimore was booked on a felony charge for assault with a deadly weapon. Bail was set at $30,000. She pleaded not guilty to the charge during her arraignment on Wednesday, an LAPD information officer confirmed.
Li was released from the hospital Monday and is now “resting and recuperating at home,” Price Interim Dean Genevieve Giuliano wrote to students in an email obtained by Annenberg Media.
According to the email, Li’s class on Wednesday has been moved online.
“We were typing what the professor was saying on our laptops and we heard a big thud. People gasped, so we turned around really quick and we saw the professor grabbing her [head],” said a freshman studying public policy, who requested to be identified only as Hernandez for fear of retaliation.
Over the course of the incident, another student attempted to intervene, but was unable to stop the assailant, student witnesses said. Li asked students to call the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Several students told Annenberg Media that the student who allegedly assaulted Li replied, “no need,” then exited the classroom. Hernandez called DPS at 11:05 a.m., and was put on hold according to witnesses. Officers arrived at Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall (VPD) shortly after.
Li was teaching a class on government contracts with non-profits when the assault happened.
“Ten minutes before class started, the girl banged her bottle on her table twice, and said ‘Carol Folt is going to hear about this,’” Hernandez said. Other witnesses also repeated the same detail. Several described the student as a “loner.”
“It did seem pretty out of character for Brianna,” Hill said. “She was very quiet. I don’t think she’s ever spoke in class before, in either of the classes I have with her.” Other students agreed, describing the student as someone who usually sat by herself at a two-person table.
Hernandez described Li as “one of the sweetest professors that we have, really sweet,” a statement other students echoed.
“I was shocked, scared for the professor,” Hernandez said.
Annenberg Media obtained a copy of an email sent to students in Li’s class by Julie Kim, the Price assistant dean of student affairs, from a witness.
“I am writing to address an incident that occurred earlier today in PPD 225 with Professor Danyao Li,” Kim wrote.”I understand that events like this can profoundly affect our community.” Kim encouraged students to utilize resources such as Counseling and Mental Health Services, Campus Support and Intervention and Trojans Care 4 Trojans were provided to students.
“We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns,” Kim wrote.
The investigation is ongoing and the motive for the attack is yet to be determined.
In the previous version of this story, we incorrectly stated that the suspect had been charged with felony assault. The suspect has been booked and is facing felony charges. The headline has been changed to reflect this correction on September 24 at 2:06 p.m. We regret the error.
Editors note: The story has been updated to include that Brianna Gallimore pleaded not guilty to one count of felony assault.
This is a developing story.