DeKalb police announced the arrest of a 24-year-old NIU student and former football player Tuesday for his alleged role in Friday’s stabbing in a bar parking lot.

Police charged Leonard Cooksey, of 1100 Varsity Blvd., with aggravated battery after they said he slashed a man following an altercation at about 2 a.m. in the parking lot of Starbusters Bar and Grill, 930 Pappas Drive.

Police said the incident began during closing time when one suspect punched out the window of a vehicle.

The driver got out and confronted the suspect, DeKalb Sgt. Gary Spangler said.

“At this point we believe Cooksey approached the driver and slashed [his] lower back,” Spangler said.

Cooksey was not the man who broke the window, Spangler said.

Spangler said it appeared that at least one victim and one suspect knew each other, although the nature of the relationship is still unknown.

The number of total attackers is uncertain, Spangler said, although there were at least four.

Initial police reports stated four men became involved in the fight with the two victims. The victim slashed in the back was taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital, 626 Bethany Road, and released the next day, while another victim stabbed in the chest was taken to Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford and was recently released, Spangler said.

Cooksey was a starting defensive tackle for the Huskies in 2003. After his athletic career was over, he acquired an agent to pursue a professional career. He was released from the DeKalb County Jail Wednesday morning after posting $500 of his $5,000 bond.

Aggravated battery is punishable by two to five years in jail and up to $25,000 in fines. NIU’s Judicial Office was unable to comment as of press time Wednesday.