Basketball player stabbed

By Genna Tan

Santa Clara police responded to a stabbing incident involving senior John Bryant at approximately 1:20 a.m. on Saturday. Bryant's injuries, which witnesses said included stab wounds on his back, were not life-threatening.

"From what I understand, a fight had ensued between the victim and his attackers," said Sgt. Kurt Clarke of the Santa Clara Police Department. "I cannot confirm if either the suspects or the victim had been drinking before."

Bryant is the 6-foot-11-inch, 275-pound center for the men's basketball team. According to the Santa Clara athletics Web site, he started 30 out of 31 games in his junior season.

Dan Coonan, director of athletics and recreation, declined to comment on the incident. He referred questions to Michelle Schmitt, director of media relations for the athletics department.

The three male suspects are not in custody, said Sgt. Clarke.

Bryant returned to class on Tuesday.

"The Santa Clara studentà has been released from the hospitalà after receiving medical attention," said Matthew Duncan, associate dean for student life, in an e-mail to the campus community.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Lafayette and Market Streets, near the Dunne parking lot.

Freshman Cesar Cadena -- who was waiting to meet a friend in the Dunne parking lot -- said he witnessed the commotion involving the victim and his attackers.

"It just seemed like a surreal experience because it just happened there in front of everyone," said Cadena. "I was like, 'Really? Is he stabbing him in front of all these people?'"

Cadena said he saw Bryant throw off an attacker after he jumped on him.

"The guy was really big, so he fought them off and ended up throwing a guy off him," said Cadena.

"Another attacker came from behind and stabbed his lower back," said Cadena. "I thought I saw him get stabbed more than once."

There is no definitive information about the involvement of other Santa Clara students in the incident, said Kim Gilkey, assistant dean for off-campus student life.

Associated Students will host a safety forum Oct. 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Williman Room in the Benson Memorial Center.

Contact Genna Tan at (408) 554-4546 or gbtan@scu.edu.