Madison police are looking for suspects in an alleged sexual assault that took place early Saturday morning.

According to a Madison Police Department statement, the incident occurred in an alley behind the 1800 block of Monroe Street.

According to the statement, the victim, age 21, lost consciousness after the three men pushed her to the ground. The statement said she believes she may have been sexually assaulted between 3:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The statement said she was walking home after socializing with friends near State Street.

MPD Spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the police were contacted around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The statement said there are three suspects, all white males.

The victim said there was one suspect who had a gun, DeSpain said.

“Right now, we are talking to her and trying to verify the details of what she said happened,” DeSpain said.

DeSpain said MPD often brings in a police sketch artist to composite a sketch of the suspects. MPD has also taken action in such a case that has potential forensic evidence to verify that sexual assault occurred.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he was shocked when he read the report. He said this is not where things like that happen in Madison, except in the rarest forms. The fact that there were three suspects and one with a gun is such a rare occurrence, he said.

“It goes without saying that it’s an unspeakable crime,” he said. “It is so rare that I’m sure police are making [solving] it a tremendous priority.”

Verveer also said sexual assault is a “huge problem” in the community.

MPD urges anyone who saw suspicious individuals in this area around 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Saturday to call the South Police District.