Ex-Syracuse defensive back Naesean Howard was arrested following the alleged stabbing of two current Syracuse Orange defensive backs Chauncey Scissum and Corey Winfield. Howard is facing two charges of assault in addition to a charge for the criminal possession of a weapon.
According to Syracuse, Howard was arrested on April 16 and was charged with two counts of assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. It was unclear what Howard's motives were for the stabbing but it was established that he knew both victims.
Scissum and Winfield, both 21, have been hospitalized following the incident and were reportedly in stable condition. The alleged stabbings occurred at 321 Slocum Heights Drive, an apartment located on Syracuse University's South Campus. According to ESPN, Scissum and Winfield were reportedly stabbed multiple times and were transported to a hospital separately when police officers arrived at the scene.
Scissum's father, Arthur, told the Democrat & Chronicle that his son was in good health. He said, "He'll be able to continue what he normally does in a short time."
Howard, 20, was the first member of the 2014 Orange recruiting class but parted ways with the SU program in September 2014 for unknown reasons, according to the Daily Mail. He re-enrolled in the university on February 2016 and wanted to join the team.
However, Syracuse senior vice president of public affairs Kevin Quinn issued a statement that read, "We are aware of this incident and our focus right now is on supporting our two students as they recover... The accused individual, who knew the victims, has been suspended from the University indefinitely. We do not tolerate any act of violence and the safety of our campus and community is a top priority."
It is unlikely that Howard would ever regain a football scholarship for the 2016 season. He is currently detained in Onondaga County Justice Center.
