MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The force used to subdue a West Virginia football player during a weekend bar scuffle was justified, according to Morgantown police chief Ed Preston.
Kyle Rose, a senior nose guard, was tased at a bar Sunday morning after police said he refused orders from Bent Willey’s bouncers to leave and then struck an officer.
“This was somebody that’s already been combative. This is somebody that’s refusing to obey commands and is continuing to resist and be combative after being warned that if he doesn’t stop he’s going to be tased,” Preston said Wednesday on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Preston said officers “followed appropriate protocols in this situation.”
Police reported the 6-foot-4, 294-pound defensive leader appeared intoxicated at the time of the incident, which occurred around 2:30 a.m.
“He did admit to drinking. He did have an odor of alcohol on his person. He was slurring his words. He did have glassy bloodshot eyes which are very symptomatic of someone that’s intoxicated,” Preston said.
Rose was charged with a series of misdemeanors including public intoxication, disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and battery on an officer. He was released on $600 bond.
The arrest was handled the same as any disturbance call from a city bar, Preston said.
“We didn’t know he was a football player at all. He was treated exactly the same as any other person would be treated, everything from the charges to use of force.”
According to the police report, Rose intentionally assaulted an officer during the call.
“Mr. Rose struck (the officer) in the forehead, at which point Mr. Rose was taken to the floor,” said Preston. “Either he hit him with an open hand or he hit him with the fist. Either way, striking someone is exactly that. It’s a striking blow.”
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen released a statement saying disciplinary action would be handled internally.