PULLMAN, Wash. -- Three possible hate crimes targeting gay students are being investigated by Pullman and Washington State University police.

University spokesman James Tinney said officials are looking at two assaults on campus and one on College Hill within the last week. Each case involves seemingly unprovoked attacks on students, though it's unclear whether the incidents are related.

Kristopher Shultz, an openly gay student, was on his way home from work when he was attacked outside of Scott Coman Residence Hall last Thursday.

"I heard someone shouting at me from behind," he said. "I turned around and got hit in the face, and I don't remember anything after that."

Shultz, who was attacked in the first of three incidents, said he "absolutely" feels he was targeted.

Two days after Shultz was attacked, a student walking a block from campus on B Street was beat up by a group of three.

Pullman police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said detectives have been assigned to investigate a weekend assault in which three men wearing Halloween masks knocked a man to the ground and kicked him repeatedly. The man suffered a possible collapsed lung.

The most recent attack took place at a parking garage on campus. Jackson Hogan was walking toward the elevator when a man yelled a transgender slur and grabbed him from behind.

"I hit the floor and he kicked me repeatedly," he said. "People I don't even know recognize me and are so upset by my gender presentation that they feel they need to brutalize me. Its terrifying."

On Wednesday school officials sent out an e-mail to all students and faculty members to inform them the school is now offering escorts for students who feel uncomfortable walking across campus alone.

The university also said it appears all three incidents may have been motivated by bias. The victims said they have no doubt such was the case.

"It's a constant environment of being afraid. Its just come to the surface now," said Shultz.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender student group met this week with school administrators and campus police to discuss the situation. Some of those present described the rash of attacks as a more violent version of the smaller attacks they deal with on a regular basis.

"This stuff happens every day," said Shultz.