Roderick “Big Pott” Richards, the student who was the victim of an assault Oct. 5 on campus near the University College, was released from Memorial Herman Hospital Thursday, Oct. 11, and is recovering from his injuries.
Richards has spent the past weeks resting in his home and is planning to return to school in a few weeks. He says his condition is good.
The assault, which happened after an altercation between groups of freshman students and upperclassmen, according to the Prairie View Department of Public Safety police report, inspired rumors throughout the university, many of which implied that the victim had been shot or possibly killed.
Last week, when the police were originally interviewed about the incident, they were unable to verify whether or not Richards actually attended Prairie View. They have since confirmed that he is a currently enrolled student.
The Prairie View Police Department are currently investigating the incident and the connection other Prairie View students have to the original altercation, but officers have said they are planning on letting the administrative punitive system handle the other students.
“This is nonsense, we’re all here to get an education so we can make better money and better ourselves,” said Richards.
When questioned about what he thinks should be done to his assailant, Richards replied that he “only wanted to see justice done.”
Richards denied involvement in the original altercation as well, claiming that his assailant had no previous connection to him and he was attacked without provocation. The other students involved in the brawl that led up to the assault are still under investigation.
Richards also wished to express his thanks to the student community for supporting him in his time of need.
Joel Soto, the student who has been charged in the stabbing, could not be reached for comment.