Rutgers - A female Rutgers University student was attacked, severely beaten and nearly sexually assaulted last week on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus, but her cries alerted people nearby who came to her defense.

Police are looking for this man who they say did it, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey. Michael P. Knight, 37, was charged with aggravated assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact and kidnapping during the attack, which occurred in the early-morning hours of Wednesday, May 4. He lives in Newark, police said.

Knight followed the woman as she walked on the College Avenue campus on Wednesday, May 4 at 3:30 a.m., Carey said. He attacked her in the area of Van Dyke Hall, near College Avenue and Seminary Place, campus police said. He struck her in the face, severely beat her, dragged her to the side of a building and was attempting to sexually assault her when a group of individuals intervened, prosecutors said. She had screamed out for help when she was first attacked, which alerted nearby witnesses, police said.

Knight fled on foot when the group intervened, running off towards Seminary Place. But as he ran, he said he had a gun and threatened to shoot one of the men who attempted to chase him. The woman was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries. She since has been released from hospital care.

The violent attack on a student comes just days before President Barack Obama will speak at the Rutgers commencement ceremonies, this Sunday, May 15.

Suspect considered armed and dangerous

Knight, who may be armed and is considered dangerous, also was charged with terroristic threats for threatening to kill the man who attempted to follow him as he fled. Bail has been set at $1 million for Knight, who remains at large. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.