Offender still at large following early November fight at Grant South

By DAVID THOMAS

A fourth offender is still at large after a Nov. 4 fight that resulted in three arrests.

University Police arrested Andre C. Brown, 20, David A. Gillespie, 19, and Marvin T. Allen, 21, all of Chicago, for their roles in a fight in the Grant South lobby. They were booked at the University Police Department, where they posted bond and were released.

Lt. Todd Henert of the University Police said the reasons for the fight differ according to the offenders and the victims. Between 11:22 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., the four victims were having a conversation in the lobby when the four offenders entered and surrounded one of the victims.

Henert said this victim and the other group had a previous exchange when the offenders were in their vehicle.

A fight occurred between the two groups, causing residential hall staff to alert the UP of a fight in progress. The fight lasted for two and a half minutes. Injuries to the victims were minor and required no medical attention, Henert said.

By the time the UP arrived, all persons involved left the area. Henert said one of the patrol units found the victims entering a vehicle, and when questioned, they told the officer they were involved in the fight at Grant South.

The victims gave a description of the offenders’ vehicle, which was later stopped at the Holmes Student Center bus turnaround at 1 p.m. on Nov. 7. Two of the offenders were arrested then, while the third was arrested on Nov. 20.

Henert said they have not identified the fourth offender.

“The people who were arrested have been uncooperative in identifying the fourth party,” Henert said.

Henert said that if students find themselves in a situation like this, they should attract the attention of others in the area to “minimize any opportunity for the battery to take place,” Henert said.

He said students should use words and not physical actions to resolve conflicts.

“Taking an aggressive posture won’t reduce your probability to get into a fight,” Henert said.