University Police are investigating the involvement of a Gophers’ football team captain in an assault Thursday at Sanford Hall.
According to a University Police report, officers responded to a call that Jerome Devon Davis had assaulted his girlfriend at the residence hall.
University Police Chief Joy Rikala said when officers arrived, Davis was gone and his girlfriend appeared calm.
Davis spent Thursday night at Hennepin County Jail after officers arrested him at his house for fifth-degree domestic assault. Although police said there was no evidence of trouble, they had to arrest Davis because someone had reported the incident.
According to Minnesota law, a person involved in domestic assault can be held for 72 hours to give police time to investigate and decide if charges are necessary.
Police released Davis because they couldn’t find enough evidence to charge him.
University Police said this week they will start questioning Davis, his girlfriend and witnesses to the incident.
University Police would not confirm rumors that Davis had tried to hit his girlfriend with his car. “Some people are reporting that on (television), but nobody from the police station has confirmed that,” Rikala said. “We don’t have a clear picture as to what happened yet.”
Neither Davis nor his girlfriend could be reached for comment.
Davis was put on temporary suspension from the football team as of Friday. Men’s Athletics Director Mark Dienhart said the program is doing whatever it can to assist police in investigating the matter. “Davis will remain on temporary suspension while we try and find out what is going on.”
Davis is a senior co-captain and a defensive tackle for the Gophers.