VALDOSTA —

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Police Department is investigating a series of incidents that occurred at two Valdosta State University fraternity houses which resulted in a small portion of a student’s upper ear being bitten off.

The first incident occurred 11:50 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at 400 Baytree Road where the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house is located. A VPD officer was dispatched in reference to a dispute. A female witness said her friend got into an argument that turned into a pushing match with the rival fraternity house, Pi Kappa Phi, located next door at 406 Baytree Road. No arrests were made during this incident.

At 1:41 p.m. Sunday, April 29, a VPD officer was dispatched to South Georgia Medical Center in reference to a male who was involved in Saturday’s physical altercation. On arrival, the officer made contact with the male who said he was punched in the face and was hit in the mouth by an unknown male causing his tooth to go through his cheek during a group altercation that occurred between the two fraternities. The male stated that he did not want to press charges or pursue an investigation.

A second incident occurred at 12:45 a.m. Sunday, April 29, at the Sigma        Alpha Epsilon house where a VPD officer was initially dispatched in reference to loud music. Dispatch then advised the officer to upgrade the call to Code Two due to a fight on the front lawn. There, the police officer observed a VSU officer asking a male to place his hands on a truck. The VPD officer detained the male and was advised by the VSU officer that he was probably one of the subjects involved in the fight.

The VPD officer advised the male that he was being detained until further notice. The male told the VPD officer that he was asleep and was awakened by someone yelling for help. He looked outside and observed approximately 10 to 15 individuals hitting his friend at which point he grabbed his unloaded Glock .40 firearm and walked outside the residence with the weapon. The male stated that the individuals hitting his friend saw him and ran.

Police ran a check on the weapon with both the Georgia Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center approving it. The VPD officer took the male out of handcuffs and gave him his weapon which was placed inside the residence.

Several witnesses corroborated the male’s story that 10 to 15 individuals approached his friend and began punching him. No one could identify the offenders due to being intoxicated. The VPD officer asked to speak with the alleged victim of the incident involving 10 to 15 individuals but he was no longer at the scene. No arrests have been made in this incident.

The third incident occurred at 2:02 a.m. Sunday, April 29, at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house where a VPD officer was dispatched in reference to a male’s ear being bitten off during an altercation with a known person. Valdosta Police Cmdr. Brian Childress said a small, upper portion of the male’s ear was bitten off and he was transported to SGMC for treatment. No arrests have been made in this incident.

“We have determined that there was a fight between two fraternities and a detective has been assigned to the ear-biting case,” said Childress. “Investigation is ongoing.”

It has not been determined if charges will be filed, the commander said.

“During initial response, the victim in this case signed a termination of investigation form stating that he did not want to prosecute,” said Childress. “However, we are investigating the possibility that multiple people may be charged in this case and we have discovered discrepancies in the story provided to us by the victim.”

The VPD fully cooperated with The Times’ requests for incident reports and information relating to these incidents. The Times attempted to contact Director of University Police Scott Doner but he refused to comment. The VSU Police Department also refused to provide The Times with a copy of its incident report.

VSU’s Dean of Students Russ Mast stated that his office received a report of these incidents early on Sunday, April 29.

“We have stopped all activities while these incidents are being investigated by the VPD, the fraternities’ national offices, the VSU police and the university,” said Mast.

If investigations determine that there have been any violations of student conduct, those involved will be subject to student disciplinary procedures, Mast said.