Deseret News | Details emerge in assault on U. players

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Details emerge in assault on U. players

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Ban Jai | 11:25 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

This is just proof that bad things happen to people that make bad decisions. Had they been playing for BYU however.......

Dave | 11:32 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Money talks, put up a reward, someone will try and collect. Then maybe we will hear the other side of the story. A group of people, be it young or old are just a bunch of cowards in my opinion.

sean | 11:33 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Why still no information on the attackers? Shouldn't we be informed fo the make/model of the car, some basic descriptions? Seriously, why no info?

Comments continue below

BYU Fan | 11:36 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

As a BYU fan, I give my best wishes to these players and hope for a speedy recovery.

I personally cheer for Utah except when they play BYU. What's wrong with both schools having great programs?

ribby | 11:39 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I'm a BYU fan. I've lived around (and have lots of friends that are) Utah fans. The rivalry is intense but there's nothing wrong with Utah fans. C'mon people, don't take it so serious.

BYU fan | 11:42 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

This was an unfortunate situation that could have happened to anyone. Not BYU, not U of U, but certain football players in general have a tendency to react and not think things through in these kinds of situations, (and a number of the rest of us just react in certain situations also). Just like with the incident with BYU players breaking into the apartment last year because of water balloons, mouthing off and throwing a snowball at a car full of thugs probably wasn't the smartest move. The victims did do the right thing by trying to protect each other after the fact. The victims did nothing wrong, they just made an unwise decision. Obviously the attackers are the guilty party. They're criminals and I hope they are found and brought to justice. The victims could have been killed, and I think an act of violence like that could be grounds for attempted murder and a number of other charges. It's sad to see things like this happen, and I hope that the victims recover soon.

Incensed | 12:15 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

The thugs who picked this fight are such losers! That's the word that needs to be on the streets about them. There was no honor in this fight, except by those who defended themselves. Only cowards attack, and worse cowards attack in a group.

All BYU fans | 12:41 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

We're all grateful that Kruger's injuries are not serious and he will soon recover. Hopefully, the police will soon round up these dangerous attackers and put them away, they shouldn't be roaming the streets of the city looking for someone to kill or injure.

Scuffle | 1:07 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I am just sure he used the word "scuffle". All the kids these days are using it.

Duckman | 1:11 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Screwdrivers and knives???

The players are lucky thats all it was.

People are getting shot in the inner-cities of our country because they looked at other kids the wrong way, or because someone else at the party was targeted.

No, they didn't deserve it, but remind your kids that yelling insults and throwing snowballs can get you killed in his country. (whether you are a yewt or kewg...)

Justin | 1:21 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Anonymous - didn't you mean to say "throwing a snowball is assault with a deadly weapon"? Battery is not quite addequate to describe the escalation you see in the circumstances. What law school or police academy did you attend? Please do not put on a uniform or a suit and offer to defend me.

Anonymous | 1:51 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Justin-
Did you take the bar exam.
Ever heard of civil battery?

Come on "Fans" | 2:27 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Look i love a great college football rivalry as much as the next guy, but this is way out of control.

First, Plaisted's wife gets arrested for DUI, and Ute fans immediately start to bag on BYU. Then this happens, and BYU fans start to bag on Utah.

You call yuorselves "true fans"

Anonymous to Justin | 2:36 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

An assault is the fear of battery. An assault does not require a person to be physically harmed. A battery does.

SJ Bobkins | 2:49 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Whenever a yutz player gets into a fight, steals or breaks into a car, does damage to a woman, stumbles drunkenly through a busy street, the word "party" is always part of the story?
Oh, and were is our friend who claimed the fight was caused by BYU players? Is there nothing yutz fans won't try to dump on BYU? Accept the losses and be a man.

True Story | 3:00 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I'm one of the victims, and the incident transpired exactly as it is written in this article. There is no bias about it. Yeah we could have ignored them but we didn't. I personally hate the idea of people mouthing of to whomever they please. Gangsters have no place in this world and they should all be locked away.

Tex | 3:04 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I love reading this "newspaper" so I can hear fans at both schools run each other down. The only thing missing from this poorly-written article is a mention about the predominent church in the area.

Butch | 3:31 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I didn't realize that the acid ran this deep just because a couple people got involved in a messey situtation. Would you people be dancing in the street if this had been three BYU players. You people are SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wha? | 3:38 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

This same thing happened AT BYU. It was the basket ballplayer's word against the attackers. The player even gave firesides on 'forgiveness'. The BYU player was lying about provocation and the case was dropped do to eyewitness testimony (a BYU employee who saw the whole thing) but the lives of 4 young men so accused by a 'holy one' were screwed up by this guy's lies.

I feel bad the guys were hurt, but the story from the players Dad just doesn't ring true. Student athletes are not known for their modesty and submissiveness in confrontation.

STA | 3:53 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Is the father's story biased - probably; however, there is also a high degree of truth to what he said. As a neutral BYU/Utah observer, I don't think any reasonable person contends that these three players were senselessly attacked by a group of thugs. I hope the they are caught - the irate citizen in me says summary execution is too good for them.

Re: True Story | 3:54 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Hey True Story,

You call the assailants, "Gangsters". Did they appear to be part of a gang? Could you identify which gang, if so? Do you know why the police aren't releasing suspect descriptions? Thanks.

Battery | 4:08 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Battery doesn't exist in the Utah criminal code,(although it does in California Penal Code). So you legal scholars need to get that right.

Also, I disagree that 'they were in the wrong place at the wrong time'. They (the victims) had something to do with it being the wrong place. I agree with the earlier post, that they were lucky guns weren't involved.

Police | 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

The police did release a description of the suspects: All Hispanice. The real question is why have KSL/Deseret News choosen to hide that detail, when other local news stations reported it.

Wow | 4:35 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

The "judgers" with the BYU twist are truly despicable and need to re-examine their lives and what BYU stands for. 1-We don't judge victims of a crime. 2-We don't find joy when someone is stabbed, even if they don't go to our school, our church, our ward or even if they hate our school, our church and our ward. 3-We don't find excuses for criminals who drive around looking for fights and stabbing people. 4-We don't judge the motives or integrity of a father of a victim. 5-We don't explain how our righteousness helps us avoid crime as a way to blame victims. 6-We try and represent ourselves and our school/religion with integrity and respect and charity toward others. Otherwise, we are just a shame and vile people hiding behind a church or school so we can be better in our own bubble. Remember, who we are and what we represent... no matter what anyone else says, does or writes bad about us.

Betty | 5:25 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

After reading all the above comments, I feel like most of you have not lived in or near a real Big City. I have. Big City rules, basically, are: Don't react to taunts, don't look at a stranger's face (because they don't like it), and don't look at a guy's girlfriend or sister. (Definitely don't throw anything or say anything.)

These victims were not "in the wrong place at the wrong time." They were in the right place at the right time.

The people who attacked them are bullies, looking for a fight. It doesn't take much to set them off, for they are already on the edge. Bullies always pick on "nice guys;" it doesn't matter who they are or what color they are. They might even attack if you ignore them. They like violence. It makes them feel important.

You people need to get out of your BYU vs. UU mindset, and think of these victims as your brothers and sisters. It could have been so much worse, and I am grateful that these guys will recover. I hope the police will find the bullies and prosecute them. And stop being so judgemental, you are showing your ignorance!

Concerned about these Comments | 5:25 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Am I going crazy or there people actually making such stupid statements on this blog as to suggest that this was the players fault or that they shouldn't have quoted from Paul Kruger's dad?

I am as big a BYU fan as anyone around, but any of you that are claiming these boys deserved this because they are at the U of U, or that the father shouldn't have been interviewed - I have one question for you - are you stupid!

Seriously! Since when is it okay for 15 people to jump 3 people and stab them? I would disclose the race of these 15 people but for the fact the Des. News wouldn't post my comments.

These are good kids. They didn't deserve this.

Those of you that don't think its okay for the father to speak out about this attack are fools. Hope nothing ever happens to you or your family, because according to your ignorant logic, you couldn't say anything about to anyone. Times like this I'm ashamed at humanities stupidity.

Hope these boys get better. Hope these gang members are caught and convicted of attempted MURDER!

yewtsrnogood | 5:29 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Huge BYU fan, but this is horrible.

I played at Idaho State. We had a bunch of knuckleheads on the team that got into trouble all the time. I occasionally went out with them (to drive them home). I was amazed at how stupid some people are.

Groups of guys would start fights with us. No provocation. Nothing. Just start a fight. It didn't matter where we went, it almost always happened. We always got in trouble, sometimes guys got suspended. I always thought they were a bunch of thugs until I realized that for some reason there are a lot of losers out there who are unbelievably jealous of collegiate athletes, and want to try and prove they are just as tough or something.

When I read this article I can see myself standing there watching it happen just like I've seen before. These guys did nothing wrong. Anyone who says it had anything to do with ego is ignorant. A snowball is harmless, how could they anticipate something like this? They are young guys, they were just out having a good time. They weren't trying to cause trouble.

From... | 6:54 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

the weapons used to attack the players, it looks like the attackers are gangsters. I do hope they find the thugs and put them away...

Fan of both schools | 7:39 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

My solution:

(for law abiding,level headed adults only)

1-Get your concealed carry permit

2-Buy handgun

3-Become proficient in handling gun

4-Carry in puplic-mind own business-avoid confrontation at all cost

5-If life is threatend by thug-shoot to kill!

6-Less thugs-safer society

Truth | 7:46 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

The bottom line is the attackers were looking for trouble...I grew up in So Cal with these kinds of guys...they are bullies...they ALWAYS outnumber their victims and any kind of fight will NEVER be fair.Anybody that wants to blame the victims for saying something...throwing a snowball...looking the wrong way etc as a reason they got attacked is just misguided.What there attackers did was commit assault with a deadly weapon...attempted murder among other crimes.Its funny that some people want to find a reason that the victims were attacked...some how it makes them feel better.They think that if they don't look people in the eye..don't say anything to anyone that shouts profanities...basically just act like a coward towards these thugs that nothing will happen to them.Well think again..they will victimize your too...I'm proud of these football players for not putting their tail between their legs and cowering away...I guess you'll just cry when they spit on you and your family and you just sit there and do nothing about it.Thats why the thugs do what they do...nobody stops them.Evil grows when good men sit back and do nothing....and that means defend the evil...even on this forum...condemn it..there are no excuses!

LLanquihue | 8:08 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Kyle, love ya, but this is not a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.. I know Coach did not mean to say it but that philosophy cedes our neighborhoods, parks and eventually our country to gangs and thugs. We do not ask permission from any thugs, losers, etc to walk our streets.

cougar fan | 8:33 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

maybe if the both of them went to BYU none of this would have happenned, I heard David is a punk. He in my oppinion thought he was so "tuff". Unfortunate that it happenned. Go Cougars 4th and 18 (wink wink)

Its.... | 8:34 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

BYU fans Obviously

It doen't take much... | 9:22 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I remember watching two kids get stabbed and four more go to the hospital with serious head injuries in a fight after a high school dance because one kid was talking to someone else's girl friend. If you don't believe that a few words and a snowball are enough to provoke a fight, then you must not get out much.

To those Sad 4th and 18 people down south, their excuse would be that things look different from inside the happy-valley bubble.

BYU fans really this rude??? | 10:08 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Maybe the sports world is the wrong place to get an impression of a group of people like Mormons. Do fans of BYU really think it is funny these guys got stabbed? I grew up in a suburb outside of NYC and attended school at Uof Mich and we despised the Ohio State U but seeing Mormons/BYU fans take pot shots at these players is amazing. I came to Utah to work for a investment group and never really meet Mormons like the ones on this newspaper site. Are Mormons/BYU fans really this arrogant and hateful of Utah players/fans? I can tell by reading the posts that BYU is the school of the "local religion" but aren't there many mormons who also go to the UofU?

I guess I am just surprised at the level of arrogance and the number of really rude people who post on here.

I have been to a Mormon church with a BYU friend and at their church I never met anybody who seemed as if they would say stuff like people do on here. Pretty much all Mormon posts are pretty ugly.

I guess people can really do some acting on Sunday???

RE:BYU fans really this rude??? | 11:01 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

What? Did you really have BYU fans on a pedastal???

People are people.

It's not worth getting in a verbal scuffle about.

In WA | 5:58 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

In my time at BYU, two friends got jumped at Taco Bell for less. 10 guys jumped out of a van and attacked them. This stuff can happen. And to BYU fans really this rude? Why make this a Mormon non Mormon thing here? It is stupid enough it has become a BYU/Utah thing. Example #20047 of why I could never bring myself to moving back to Utah, everyone grow up.

True Fans | 9:53 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Its hard to say if BYU fans or Ute fans are really this rude. I think that a lot of the posters on here make up a name representing their enemy school and then make stupid comments to make that school look bad.

There is hardley a better explanation than that. Who really would say such things. It is hard to believe that it isn't someone from the rival trying to make the other look stupid.

Interesting comments... | 11:17 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

I don't have too much to say.. Just what I think.

First off, what's done is done. The only people that really need to know "exactly" what happened are the people that were involved, and the authorities.

Second, sure, his dad said it all, I know Paul Sr. and he'd use a word like scuffle, and I don't see who's to judge him in what he says or how. I'm sure he didn't search out the media and tell them what to write.

Thirdly, they taunted. So those who say that they did nothing at all wrong... I don't understand that. I am not commending the hispanics, but look, if you are trying to evit any possibility of a fight, why would you throw a snowball? Doesn't make them bad people, but surely not the smartest thing to do. Anyway, it's hard to say exactly what you'd do in a situation like that, right? Maybe they were going to pick the fight anyway, but there's a difference in it happening with, and without the snowball thrown.

Fourth, I hope that all affected will speedily recover!

Arguments | 12:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

1. Maybe he didn't say scuffle that night, maybe he said "fight" and just changed the word for the newspaper...makes no difference...this point is a non-issue

2. Yah they did something wrong, they threw a snowball...but you can't even begin to justify getting beat up by 15 guys and being stabbed by them for throwing a snowball...maybe they deserved a white-wash or something for throwing a snowball...you could even make a case for vandalism if it dented the car (which i highly doubt it did)...but attempted murder? They did nothing to deserve that...

That's like saying everytime someone doorbell ditches you, they deserve to be stabbed...

hypersensitive,combative | 12:48 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

and lame. So would you be if your rival beat you in football the last two years! I still can't get over the blocked field goal either. (UCLA)

I hope they find the thugs and feed them to the rest of the Utah football team.

Richard M. | 4:02 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Anyone who is trying to pin any blame on these three kids has serious problems. I am a Cougar through and through and I HATE the Utes. But these cowardly acts are an outrage. The guys who did it should be seriously punished. All three of these kids could have died. Some of these posts are disturbing. Get a clue. You can't be that stupid.

Richard M. | 4:13 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Okay, I just read up from the bottom of all these comments. I think it is clear that there are only a few dumb posts and they are mostly at the top. I think it is fair to say that most of the BYU fans and probably Mormons, GO MITT, know that this stuff cannot be tolerated and feel sick that it happened to anyone. I was worried there for a second. I am so glad I don't live in Utah. The only place in America where being Mormon is an issue in every stinking topic. Get over it people.

RE: Arguements | 10:29 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

What arguement are you trying to make?

How are those comments justifying the thugs? Maybe you need to read and understand what was wrote. When people commit a crime like that it can't be justified. The point that was made was the fact that the taunted. If you disagree... then maybe you have a differnt meaning for the word. Were they at fault? That's not my place to say, but I will say that if there's a group of thugs and they are looking for a problem, I'm not going to pick up a snowball and throw it at their car. I mean, if that's what you would do... great, that's your decision, but just to clear the record, (if it was really THAT hard to understand) I'm not justifying the actions of the thugs, I'm just saying that it was probably not the smartest thing to throw a snowball at a large group of people that are picking a fight. Honestly, it was more the fact of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes things just happen, and it's unfortunate.

A Friend (Age 23) | 11:24 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Having served in Missouri with Paul Jr., I can see him saying "Look this is not worth getting into a scuffle over."

I am quite saddened by the picture painted of Paul Jr. by the posts on this blog. They don't reflect his true character at all. Yes, he is a football player, but he is also one of the most solid individuals I have ever met.

I am glad his prospects for a full recovery are good.

Trevor | 1:39 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

I can't believe some of the posts on here from people who are blinded by their love of BYU. This has nothing to do with a rivalry.

First of all Paul is from Orem and served a mission and is a great person.

The real issue is 3 people got jumped by 15 Mexicans. Half of which are likely here in this country illegaly. This happens all the time because these thugs realize that in a one on one fight they would get knocked out, so they have to fight 5 on 1.

I personally volunteer my services to fight anyone of these thugs 1 on 1. I can't believe that this artcile didn't mention anything about the race of the suspects.

Stan | 10:54 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Paul Kruger has always been a kind and has high character. I love BYU but some of the fans need to pull there heads out for a breath of air. Really get real, this is real life and does not have to do with red or blue. I coached him in pony League baseball and know his family and brothers, they are good caring people. I wish him only the best

Ginger Kid | 6:58 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Look, both BYU and Utah are dumb schools.

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