Four Purdue football players have been accused of sexual assault by two fellow students in an incident that allegedly took place on Oct. 13.
According to a news release from Massillamany & Jeter LLP, the law firm representing the students who say they were assaulted, the incident took place at an off-campus residence where the players live and was reported to police immediately. The Lafayette Journal & Courier reported on the incident the day it occurred, though few details were known at the time. The alleged assault was one of five incidents that were reported in a four-day span.
In his firm’s release, attorney Mario Massillimany said four Purdue football players have been suspended and urged the university to expel the athletes.
“School officials must move quickly to hold these players accountable for their actions and show these victims that their voices are being heard,” Massillimany wrote. “If there are others out there who have been victimized in this manner, we encourage them to contact us to get the justice they deserve.”
Massillimany also said an additional student has come forward claiming to have been a victim in a similar incident involving Purdue football players. The names of the four players who have been suspended were not released due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Purdue will likely try to move quickly with its own investigation in addition to awaiting results from police. If college football programs have learned anything from the recent scandal at Baylor, it’s that transparency and prompt action are incredibly important.
