Two college students originally from suburban Chicago were rescued Sunday night after being abducted and held hostage, according to police.
The students, both seniors at University of Rochester in New York, were reported missing around 6 p.m. Saturday after disappearing in the early hours of the morning. Police were looking for a silver BMW with an Illinois license plate, believed to be the car the 21-year-olds were last seen driving in around 2 a.m.
A SWAT team effectively rescued them at a home at 22 Harvest Street in Rochester, New York, around 9:20 p.m. Sunday, according to NBC 5 affiliate WHEC.
Police Chief Michael Ciminelli said at a Sunday evening press conference the abduction was a targeted attack and they have four involved suspects in custody.
Both students were recovering in the hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. One of the victims was found with a gunshot wound to his leg, NBC News reports.
University President Joel Seligman told NBC News authorities had "a collective sense of relief," after being able to successfully rescue the pair, adding: "This could have turned out in a very different way."
The motive behind the abduction is still unclear. Charges are pending for the four in custody, police said.
U.S. & World
Editor's Note: The names and photos of the victims in the alleged abduction have been removed after a Jan. 2016 indictment identified them as victims of sexual assault.
