Organized Chaos

Update, Nov. 14, 3:10 p.m.: Just got done writing my story. Five players were suspended for the BC game, including Bert Reed, Taiwan Easterling and Corey Surrency. Also, little used Cameron Wade was suspended, as was Richard Goodman, who has been out with a knee injury for weeks, anyway. The investigation is ongoing, but could be finished by early next week.

Update, Nov. 14, 11:25 a.m.: I received a release from FSU PD, but there could be another later in the day. A key note here is that members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and the football team, along with representatives from FSU athletics, the dean of students, student affairs, FSU PD and Greek affairs, met late Thursday to discuss the importance of being kind and resolving differences without fists. Shame this meeting didn’t take place PRIOR to Wednesday.

Original post follows. I also included the FSU PD statement after the jump:

A news release is expected Friday from FSU police on the status of the investigation into a fight involving football players and members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Maj. Jim Russell is currently in a meeting until 11 a.m. CST, no doubt about the case.

Criminal charges could be forthcoming and/or suspensions or dismissals for football players. FSU police said they have more than 25 written statements and have had five face-to-face interviews. The number of witnesses are what caused the delay in action.

The police are trying to determine which accounts are true and which are false. The goal is to paint the most consistent picture among them to determine what happened.

There was a chair thrown and it injured a female student. No word yet on who threw the chair. That is the primary concern for investigators.

The person who threw the chair could receive felony charges. If it was a football player that would lead to a suspension for the duration of the case or until the felony charge is pleaded down.

More on this later, as well as Web updates when something breaks.

The statement from FSU PD released Friday morning:

FSU Police Continue to Investigate Union Melee

The FSU Police Department is continuing the investigation into the fight that took place at the Student Union November 12. Additional witnesses continue to come forward, and the FSUPD has determined that some members of the FSU football team and the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity were involved.

The department has also determined that a female bystander, thought not to be involved, was struck in the face by a chair that was thrown. The victim was treated and released from a local hospital. Police have not identified the person who threw the chair, however, this is currently the investigative priority.

The FSUPD is also working through statements and interviews to determine who the combatants were and who participated in the fight. Suspects are not being named at this time due to conflicting statements and to protect the integrity of the investigation. However, the department is committed to sifting through the information to determine clearly the responsible parties.

On November 13, meeting at the FSUPD which included representatives of Phi Beta Sigma, the football team, FSU Athletics, Dean of Students, Student Affairs, Greek Life, and FSUPD. FSU administrators and Greek advisors spoke to the fraternity and football representatives to instill upon them the importance of working out any apparent differences in a civil manner and to convey that fighting, such as that demonstrated in the Union is not tolerated. The atmosphere appeared positive and a healing step.

The police investigation is continuing and the PD is committed to a thorough investigation where appropriate action including charges will be based upon the facts it reveals.

The FSUPD is continuing to request information from independent witnesses who saw the fight, especially those who witnessed the person or persons who threw chairs or any other object.

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