Two Syracuse football players were stabbed over the weekend, and a former member of the team has been charged with the crime.
According to Stephen Bailey of Syracuse.com, defensive backs Chauncey Scissum and Corey Winfield were allegedly stabbed by former Orange DB Naesean Howard. A hospital spokesperson said Scissum is in stable condition, while Winfield’s condition is unknown.
Howard was charged with two counts of assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Howard left Syracuse in 2014 before enrolling in the school again earlier this year, but he has been suspended indefinitely.
Both Scissum and Winfield were starters who were expected to return next season.
“We are aware of this incident and our focus right now is on supporting our two students as they recover,” Syracuse senior vice president of public affairs Kevin Quinn said in a statement Sunday morning. “The accused individual, who knew the victims, has been suspended from the University indefinitely. We do not tolerate any act of violence and the safety of our campus and community is a top priority.”
Police initially said they did not believe the injuries to Scissum or Winfield were life-threatening. Howard’s motive is unclear.
