SBU athletes arrested in beating of Bolivar man
By Staff
April 18, 2006
BOLIVAR – A 22-year-old man from Bolivar was beaten outside a bar in Springfield and is hospitalized with severe injuries in an assault that led to the arrest of three students at Southwest Baptist University (SBU) who all played football for the school either last season or in previous seasons, according to KY3 News of Springfield.
The men were arrested for mob assault, the television station reported. Bolivar Police detectives helped lead Springfield police to the three suspects at SBU so that the suspects could be arrested, the television station reported. All three are in the Greene County jail.
The assault occurred about 1:45 a.m. April 13 behind a local bar after the bar closed and bar employees tried to clear the parking lot, KY3 News reported. Witnesses told police that 8-10 men beat and kicked another man and someone backed over him with a car, the television station reported. The victim is white and witnesses said all of his assailants were black, but police do not know if the assault was racially motivated, KY3 News reported. SBU students have heard the men may have feuded about a woman, the television station reported.
The victim has severe injuries but police think he will survive, KY3 News reported. The hospital cannot release information about him because of a federal privacy law.
“We are cooperating with the ongoing investigation and we are taking the matter seriously,” SBU President Pat Taylor said.
Taylor has requested prayer for the young man who was beaten and the men who have been arrested, among others who are dealing with the situation.
Southwest Baptist University received positive confirmation from several Springfield Police Officers that University students and personnel have been extremely cooperative during the investigation alleging the involvement of SBU student athletes in the incident that occurred at Cowboys 2000 on April 13, 2006. The investigative work conducted by Springfield Police led to the arrest of SBU student athletes. As of Monday morning, charges have not been filed. SBU students and personnel continue to cooperative fully in this investigation.
It is important to acknowledge that SBU does not condone physical abuse on or off campus. In fact, the University classifies physical abuse as a Class C violation within the University’s 2005-2006 Student Handbook. “Class C violations consist of unacceptable moral or ethical behavior; serious law violation(s); serious damage to property; or behavior that is harmful (or potentially harmful) to self, others, or the University.” Those students who commit class C violations are subject to dismissal from the University.
Should investigative proceedings indicate substantial evidence that any SBU student was involved with abusing another person, then that student or group of students will be subject to dismissal from the University. SBU is a Christ-centered, caring academic community that will not accept violence as a means of communication from its students, faculty, staff or administration. It is important that a thorough collection of information be gathered before any University sanction is implemented.