Two CC juniors say they fear for their safety after an altercation last Friday at an off-campus house.
At approximately 12:35 a.m. on the night of Friday, Sep. 16, an altercation occurred at 922 N. Weber that left at least one CC junior, Jaam Moynihan, injured.
A Colorado Springs Police incident log gave the following summary of the events that night:
At 12:41 a.m. police reported that seven people attacked two victims at 922 N. Weber and the police reached the scene one minute later. The victims were identified as Jaam Moynihan and Blake Reichert, also a CC Junior.
Blake was punched in the stomach by an unknown male while riding his scooter westward on the path between Yampa and the Sorority houses.
Moynihan confronted the unknown male at a party happening at 922 N. Weber and entered through the side door. Reichert recalled that Moynihan was jumped by approximately two unknown males inside the party. They left 922 N. Weber through the front door and Reichert could not recall who punched him or Moynihan.
Moynihan was intoxicated at the time of the incident and police recorded that he had consumed more than seven shots of tequila and more than five 12 oz. beers. He clarified the situation and stated that he’d had six shots of tequila and Reichert had consumed the five beers.
Moynihan stated that he got jumped by more than twenty unknown males at the party. He also stated to the police that he would not be able to recall who punched him or jumped him.
Moynihan was taken to the Boettcher Health Center by Campus Safety, declined medical attention and did not ask to press charges at that time. Moynihan stated later that he was “out of it” after the altercation and doesn’t remember not wanting to press charges. He has since spoken to the police and asked to press charges.
CSPD Campus Resource Officer Jason Newton stated that it is possible that Reichert came close to hitting the unknown student but does not know why the altercation happened. Officer Newton was not present at the incident.
Tanner Howard, a CC Senior and resident of 922, stated that he landed a punch on Moynihan in the face or head and explained that he did so in self-defense. Howard said that he didn’t know how many punches were thrown in the heat of the moment but that he remembers hitting Moynihan “pretty good once.”
Howard clarified that although swings were taken at him, he was not hit.
Owen Lopez, a CC Junior, says he witnessed part of the altercation on the front porch of 922 N. Weber. Lopez had been drinking and stated that he had only consumed two beers. He claimed that it didn’t seem like a real fight, it seemed more like a dispute.
“There should be mediation because this is getting unnecessarily blown out of proportion. It didn’t seem like a big deal,” he said.
Officer Newton stated that Moynihan sustained visible injuries including a black eye and bruises on his ribcage. Both Reichert’s and Moynihan’s clothing were also stained with blood.
Since the altercation on Friday night, Moynihan and Reichert have reported feeling unsafe around campus.
“It’s bullshit that I can’t feel safe in my home,” said Moynihan. He and Reichert said that they felt supported by the administration, but weren’t sure what the college is going to do to remedy the situation.
“I don’t think they’ve ever experienced something like this, or maybe they have, but I don’t think they’re prepared for it. I think they’re doing their best… but there’s not that much they can do about it,” said Reichert.
He and Moynihan noticed that emails about student safety were sent out for much smaller incidents (like suspicious individuals sighted near campus) and didn’t understand why one hadn’t been sent out about Friday’s altercation.
Reichert and Moynihan stated that there have been six instances since the incident in which one or both of them felt intimidated or threatened.
The first allegedly occurred on Saturday during the late afternoon/ early evening. Reichert and Moynihan were sitting outside of McGregor when an unknown male made a fart noise as Moynihan was on the phone with Paul York, Student Life Specialist for Campus Conduct.
The second allegedly occurred a few minutes later outside of the Preserve. Reichert and Moynihan stated that between six and seven students wearing CC Lacrosse t-shirts stopped and stared at Moynihan.
The third allegedly occurred when Moynihan was alone exiting the first floor men’s bathroom in Worner on Monday. Moynihan stated that students stopped and stared at him as he exited the bathroom.
The fourth allegedly occurred on Saturday night as Reichert was on Cascade heading towards 7-11. Reichert stated that two unknown males in a truck slowed down and stared at him and then sped away.
The fifth allegedly occurred on Sunday night when Reichert and a friend were crossing Yampa after leaving the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He stated that three people were sitting on the roof of 922 and were yelling and catcalling at him.
The sixth allegedly occurred a separate time at the Preserve. Reichert stated that an unknown individual stood closely behind him and breathed down his neck.
Since charges weren’t pressed the night of the altercation, the police are still investigating the situation. This is very much an ongoing investigation and anyone with knowledge of the events should contact Officer Newton at CSPDofficer@ColoradoCollege.edu or at his office in the CC Inn.
Paul York, Student Life Specialist for Campus Conduct, said that during the college’s conduct process, students who were involved will be interviewed, policy violations will be noted, and then the typical conduct process will continue.
Jesse Paul and Molly Moffett contributed reporting to this article.
Alex Kronman 