On Wednesday evening, two people were involved in a physical altercation on the University of Idaho campus on Idaho Avenue Between Elm Street and Deakin Avenue. The Moscow Police Department, Moscow Volunteer Fire Department and emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene at approximately 8:53 p.m. The MPD press log stated that the patient was a victim of battery that resulted in a seizure.
In a video received by The Argonaut, two people can be seen exchanging blows in the street. One is eventually tackled to the ground where he is punched multiple times in the head until he was rendered unresponsive. After the two parties separated, bystanders can be seen running to the unresponsive person’s side, while the other participant in the fight steps away.
According to an MPD press release made Sept. 26, no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed, though the investigation is ongoing. The press release confirmed that the uninjured party is a member of a UI fraternity.
MPD has not released the names of the patient or any suspects.
According to a Facebook post made by Adam Dawson, a Boise resident, the patient involved in the incident was his son, Austen Dawson. Austen, a DoorDash driver, was reportedly Life-Flighted to the nearest neurosurgeon in Lewiston. Adam Dawson later shared that Austen is now in a medically induced coma.
Adam Dawson claimed the uninjured party belonged to UI fraternity Phi Delta Theta in his two most recent Facebook posts. Phi Delta Theta is one of the fraternities on Idaho Avenue where the incident was reported by MPD.
MPD has released no information on a connection between the uninjured party and Phi Delta Theta.
MPD’s press release also pushed back against multiple rumors that have been circulating the incident, stating that the injured person was not attacked by multiple assailants, nor was he curb-stomped, which had been previously shared by Adam Dawson on Facebook.
MPD cautioned the public against inserting themselves into this investigation or attempting to conduct their own investigations.
“Moscow Police Department wishes to remind the public that MPD is the only source of vetted, accurate information regarding this investigation,” the press release said. “Further information regarding this incident will be shared publicly when appropriate and permitted by law.”
“I understand the drive and passion for information and for information to come immediately, and that’s not how investigations go,” MPD police chief Anthony Dahlinger told The Argonaut. “[I’m] asking for the patience of the public and student body while we finish this investigation.”
A GoFundMe was created by Tyler Rice, a childhood best friend of Austen Dawson according to the GoFundMe page description. The donation page has a goal of $7,000 and has raised over $5,300 as of 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 26.
The Argonaut will continue to update as more information on the incident becomes available.
The linked video was shared with The Argonaut by an anonymous member of Greek life at UI. The video was reportedly filmed during the battery incident on Sept. 24 and was sent to The Argonaut shortly after. The video includes interpersonal violence; those who may be sensitive to depictions of physical violence are encouraged to not watch the video.
Julia Kolman can be reached at [email protected].
Bill
Uh, ok
kim
Disgusting animals. The frat has shut down all their social media, too.