A young man was stabbed Friday following an altercation with a group of Prairie View students near University College, police sources said.
The assault, which reportedly occurred sometime around 6 p.m., was the climax of a brawl, which had spawned between two groups of Prairie View students. Some student accounts claim more than 40 students were exchanging blows at one time.
The victim, identified by the police as Roderick Richardson, was quickly rushed from the scene and life-flighted to Houston Memorial Hermann Hospital. He was unconscious upon arrival, but is now in stable condition. Campus police officials said they have been unable to verify that Richardson actually attends the university, but many of his close associates insist that he is enrolled.
Reliable sources said that shortly after the stabbing, the alleged assailant, Prairie View student Joel Soto fled the scene. Before the suspect was apprehended, the police began stopping and searching vehicles that were leaving the campus.
A few hours later, Soto reportedly turned himself in, and was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. The assault weapon was later found in a garbage can at University College.
Other students were apprehended Friday night and are still under investigation by the campus police, who are attempting to sort out the details of what led up to the original fight.
“We are working hard to maintain a peaceful campus, and urge students to seek peaceful resolutions to their conflicts in the future,” said Police Chief Algray Pettus, who suggested students work to help keep the campus safe.
The police are still investigating the incident, and have not commented on whether other students may be charged in connection with the fight.