UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WJAC) — UPDATE:
6 News has received a copy of the criminal complaint of this incident.
According to the police report, an officer with the State College Police Department was dispatched to Mount Nittany Medical Center to speak with a patient who was reportedly assaulted in the downtown State College area on Saturday, January 31st. The officer spoke with staff who confirmed the patient had been punched in the face and sustained fractures to both sides of his jaw, requiring surgery. The officer reports the right side of the patient’s face being swollen and dried blood on his lips. The officer reports the patient could hardly speak, was in substantial pain, and was missing a tooth from the bottom right side of his mouth.
The report states the patient had two friends in the emergency room with him who were both witnesses to the alleged assault. They told the officer Gavin McKenna punched their friend in the face twice following an exchange of words between them and the group of people McKenna was with. The friends/witnesses told the officer they recognized McKenna due to the fact that he is on the Penn State men’s hockey team. The friends/witnesses stated the assault happened in the 100 block of S. Pugh St. around 8:45 p.m., in front of the Pugh Street parking garage. The friends/witnesses told the officer they remembered seeing blood from their friend on the sidewalk where the alleged assault happened, which the officer later found.
According to the police report, the officer reviewed footage from State College borough street cameras, which captured the altercation next to the entrance lanes of the Pugh Street parking garage. The officer reports seeing McKenna throw two punches at the victim’s face, causing him to stumble backwards. The officer also obtained footage of McKenna leaving Doggie’s Pub prior to the altercation, which the police report states was hosting a hockey event following Penn State’s hockey game at Beaver Stadium.
The police report states the victim had surgery on Monday to repair the fractures in his jaw, and that his jaw will remain wired shut for approximately two weeks.
ORIGINAL:
Gavin McKenna, Penn State’s star hockey player and the projected number one overall draft pick in the NHL, is reportedly facing assault charges following an incident over the weekend.
While details are limited at this time, online court records show that McKenna was charged, by State College Borough Police, with felony aggravated assault, as well as several misdemeanor and summary offenses.
According to the docket, the alleged incident occurred on Saturday, January 31st, which was the same day that the Nittany Lions hosted an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.
A spokesperson for the Penn State athletics’ department confirmed that the university is aware of the charges.
As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.
McKenna has played in 24 games this season for the Nittany Lions, recording 11 goals and 21 assists.
The 18-year-old freshman is projected to be the top pick in this year’s NHL Draft.