Four MU students charged in vandalism, assault at Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house

By Rachel Rice

Published Sept. 16, 2008

Correction appended

An MU student was assaulted in his fraternity when he opened his door after hearing noises outside.

At about 2:30 a.m. Friday, the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house was vandalized and one of its members assaulted, a Columbia Police Department news release stated.

According to witnesses, a group of four men were throwing objects at the side of the house, causing structural damage. One of the men in the fraternity opened the door in response to the noises and later told police authorities that he thought the commotion was coming from some members of the Phi Kappa Psi house who were locked out and trying to enter, the release stated.

When he opened the door, police said freshman Timothy Cain, identified to officers by two witnesses, shoved his way in to the house, and the victim hit his head on the doorframe. Police said Cain then proceeded to destroy whatever he could of the house and the property of the fraternity. Three other men, MU student Zachary Holtmeier, MU student Kyle Alley and Taylor Landon, remained outside the house, throwing things at it, the release stated.

The men departed as soon as the fraternity members told them that they were going to call the police. An off-duty member of CPD had already noticed the commotion, however, and had notified on-duty officers of the group. Police said the suspects ran from the officers, but were quickly apprehended near Burnam and Clarkson roads.

The feeling among the Greek community, Interfraternity Council spokesman Sam Hargadine said, is one of shock.

"It's scary, because if it happened to ... your neighbor, you know that would upset you because you know it could have been you."  

Hargadine said occurrences such as this one are quite unusual. 

"It was just a random act of vandalism," he said. "I don't think anything brought it on. It doesn't happen that often."

He did commend the fraternity members who non-violently confronted the suspects.

"I think they did everything correctly," Hargadine said. "They called the police, took care of the incident, they were completely in the right."

The assault victim's name has not been released. Phi Kappa Psi President David Ippolito was not available for comment.