Rutgers cornerbacks Chris Long and Malachi Melton are in big trouble after both got suspended ahead of the team’s game against No. 19 Michigan because of “an incident involving a paintball gun,” head coach Greg Schiano announced on Tuesday.
Melton and Long were charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose for an incident that went down on Monday. They were taken into custody, according to municipal court records obtained by NJ Advance Media.
“I was informed that Chris Long and Malachi Melton were taken into police custody early this morning as a result of an incident involving a paintball gun,” Schiano said in a statement. “Both players have been suspended immediately.”
Melton and Christopher Long reportedly shot three students with a paintball gun in a drive-by Monday night.
“On Monday, September 20, 2021, at approximately 10:00 PM, the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) responded to the area of Livingston Campus in the township of Piscataway for the report of three student victims that were struck with paintballs discharged from a motor vehicle,” Rutgers police chief Kenneth Cop said in a statement provided to NJ Advance Media. “The three victims sustained minor injuries and declined further medical attention on scene. An investigation completed by the RUPD resulted in the arrest of two male suspects on September 21, 2021.”
Melton has started all three games for the Scarlet Knights this season. The sophomore has recorded two interceptions, including one for a touchdown, a blocked punt, a fumble recovery and eight tackles this season.
“We sure are blessed to have [Melton],” Schiano said after the team’s 17-7 win over Syracuse in Week 2. “I really think he is a very good corner and he is getting better every day. He is still a young guy. What’s he played, 12 college games? It is the equivalent of one season. I think he can really become a great one if he just continues to work the way he is.”
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Long has been a backup, and hasn’t recorded any statistics this season.
The Scarlett Knights are 3–0 for the first time since 2012.
