New details concerning a violent altercation involving several Boston University hockey players reveal that the incident was not a random attack as previously thought.
The initial confrontation occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday night outside of a residence on Wadsworth Street in Allsston. Junior Karson Gillespie, goalie for the BU hockey team, was leaving a party at 9 Wadsworth St. with a friend when he encountered two men standing outside.
Heated words were exchanged, which resulted in an escalating fight between Gillespie and the two men. Gillespie's inebriated friend offered little assistance, leaving the hockey player to fend for himself. The fight was broken up quickly, and Gillespie and his friend returned to the house.
Gillespie left the party for the second time an hour later accompanied by team members Kevin Schaeffer, Sean Sullivan, and John Curry. Andrew Johanson, a Berklee School of Music sophomore, witnessed the events that followed and claimed that the BU students were approached by six men wielding baseball bats.
Officer Dotton of the Boston Police department reported only three suspects under investigation. Brian Kelley, senior assistant director of athletic communications for Boston University, refused to comment on the discrepancy.
Sullivan was the first to be attacked. He retaliated, and was then hit over the head with a blunt object, probably a wrench. His attacker then proceeded to give him a black eye.
Curry was attacked with a similar object and also received a black eye.
Schaefer, leaving the house with his sister, was rendered unconscious upon his arrival to the scene. According to a witness, the attacker continued to beat Schaefer's head after he fell. Schaefer's sister saw the attack and began to scream for help. Residents of homes in the neighborhood heard her screams and upon witnessing the scene, claimed to have seen as many as 15 people involved in the altercation.
Lauren Morton, a junior lacrosse player at Boston University, attempted to drag Shaeffer from the melee and was hit in the jaw.
Other girls also joined the fight, leading an onlooker to describe the confrontation as a "drunken mess." Their screams incited the attackers' flight. Witnesses reported seeing the men fleeing on foot, while the BPD noted the presence of a getaway car.
The BPD arrived shortly after, and spectators reported seeing Schaefer being taken away on a stretcher. Both Schaeffer and Sullivan were hospitalized at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Sullivan was released Sunday after receiving staples in his head to close a gash, while Schaeffer was held until Monday after being treated for a fractured orbital bone and dislocated thumb.
The next day, blood was still visible on the sidewalk where the fight took place.
There continues to be a great deal of confusion concerning the motivation behind the attack. Many questions surround the seemingly unprovoked nature of the assault.
The BPD was unable to answer questions regarding whether or not the Boston University students were involved in instigating the brawl nor whether the two attacks were related.
According to Jack Parker, coach of BU's hockey team, the students involved in the fight weren't violating any team rules.
Team policy states that members can drink only on Saturday nights and those under the age of 21 can't drink at all. The altercation occurred on a Saturday night, and all those involved were of age.
Curry and Sullivan joined the hockey team Monday for an off-ice practice, but were unable to participate. The two team members won't be allowed back on the ice until the results of their concussion tests are received. Schaeffer was still in the hospital at this time.
As of last night, the players were unavailable for comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!