By: Jake Stark
A University of Minnesota student was assaulted by a group of men early Saturday near the University Fieldhouse, according to a University police report.
Business management junior Cort Lunke was walking with several friends at about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday when a group of four men jumped him and one of them punched him in the side of the head, the report said.
Before the fight, the man who punched Lunke had yelled insults at him, and Lunke made comments in return, he said.
“I didn’t really take offense,” Lunke said. “But I didn’t want to pass up an opportunity for human interaction on a Friday night.”
University police arrived at the scene as the men tried to flee, the report said. The officers arrested all four men one block away.
One of the men was cited for fifth-degree assault, fleeing police and consumption of alcohol by a minor, the report said. The officers booked him at Hennepin County Jail, but he’s since posted bail.
The man was the only member of the group cited for assault because he was the only one who actually hit the victim, said University police Deputy Chief Chuck Miner.
The other three men were cited for minor consumption and were released at the scene, the report said.
Man assaulted outside Blarney
A second assault involving a University student occurred around the same time Saturday outside Blarney Pub and Grill, according to a Minneapolis police report.
The victim, 21, was standing outside of Blarney at about 2 a.m. on Saturday when another man made a rude comment about his girlfriend, Minneapolis police Sgt. William Palmer said. A fight ensued between both men, and the victim suffered serious head injuries.
Witnesses called Minneapolis police to the scene and paramedics transported him to the University of Minnesota Medical Center, the report said.
The man who injured the victim arrived at the medical center shortly afterward, seeking treatment for an injury to his hand, the report said.
The victim told officers he didn’t want to press charges because the fight was mutual, the report said.