Originally Published: 04 NOV 23 18:46 ET Updated: 04 NOV 23 22:00 ET By Raja Razek, Keith Allen and Ashley R. Williams, CNN

Investigation Underway into Hate Crimes at Stanford University

(CNN) — Stanford University is currently investigating at least five potential hate crime incidents that have occurred on its campus since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war. One of these incidents involved an Arab Muslim student who was reportedly the victim of a hit-and-run crash, according to the university’s public safety department.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when the student was struck by a car. According to the Stanford Department of Public Safety, the victim reported that the driver made eye contact, accelerated, struck the victim, and then drove away while shouting, ‘f*** you people.’

Authorities from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, who are leading the investigation, have determined that the incident was a hate crime based on a preliminary investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol.

While the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening, the incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students on campus.

The victim provided a description of the driver as “a white male in his mid-20s, with short dirty-blond hair and a short beard, wearing a gray shirt and round framed eyeglasses.” The vehicle involved was described as a 2015 black Toyota 4Runner or a newer model.

Stanford’s president, Richard Saller, and provost, Jenny Martinez, expressed their condemnation of the hit-and-run incident in a statement released on Friday. They stated, “We are profoundly disturbed to hear this report of potentially hate-based physical violence on our campus. Violence on our campus is unacceptable. Hate-based violence is morally reprehensible.”

The incident has sparked outrage among various communities, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area. In a statement released on Saturday, they emphasized the need to address the growing Islamophobia and hatred that have been plaguing communities.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. CNN has reached out to the California Highway Patrol for additional details.

Increase in Reported Potential Hate Crimes at Stanford

In addition to the hit-and-run incident, Stanford’s public safety authorities have reported several other potential hate crimes on campus. The incidents began on October 15, when a group of students who identified as “Arab, Muslim, and/or Palestinian” were allegedly shoved by another student while attempting to add and remove posters in a designated area on campus. The university’s Protected Identity Harm reporting site emphasizes that such anti-Arab and Islamophobic acts are considered abhorrent and are being investigated as hate crimes.

The next day, another incident occurred when a student of color was seated near a Palestinian liberation display at the White Plaza location on campus. Another student allegedly spat at the student and made derogatory remarks before attempting to spit at them again. The university condemns such behavior, including spitting motivated by hate, and is actively investigating the incident.

On October 18, a group of Arab, Muslim, and/or Palestinian students gathered in the same White Plaza area when someone ran over a tote bag decorated with a design in the shape of Palestine. The bag contained a computer and other valuables. The university’s public safety officials are treating this incident as a hate-motivated crime and are conducting a thorough investigation.

Another potential hate crime occurred on October 28 when a mezuza, a sacred religious symbol, was removed from the door of a Jewish student’s residence. School officials have referred to the removal of the mezuza as a form of intimidation against the Jewish community.