Redshirt freshman linebacker Derrick Odom III was arrested Thursday on multiple criminal charges after an alleged July 28 altercation on Brightside Drive, according to Cpl. L’Jean McKneely Jr. of the Baton Rouge Police Department. He has since been suspended from the LSU football team until further notice, coach Les Miles said Saturday.
McKneely confirmed Odom was charged with simple assault, attempted unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling and two counts of simple criminal damage to property.
“I don’t understand exactly what’s all gone on,” Miles said Saturday at a press conference. “I’m really kind of collecting information. He’s suspended until we find out exactly the specifics. This is apparently a very old issue that took place in the summer sometime and there’s really no injury. I’m trying to figure out why all that’s happened.”
The arrest warrant for Odom was filed Wednesday in East Baton Rouge Parish’s 19th Judicial District Court.
According to the warrant, Odom and several other persons arrived July 28 at Austin Gaffney’s Brightside Drive residence. Gaffney called his father Steve Gaffney, who went to diffuse the disturbance.
According to the warrant, Odom told Steve Gaffney, “I’m here to kick someone’s ass. If you don’t get one of them out here, I’ll kick your ass.”
Odom then allegedly hit the door of the condominium with his shoulder, cracking the door and lock. He then approached Austin Gaffney’s car, deflated a tire and damaged a front bumper spotlight, according to the report.
BRPD Cpl. Don Kelly of the Baton Rouge Police Department said Odom was arrested on the University campus between 3 and 4 p.m. Thursday. The case is an open investigation, but Kelly said he does not expect any additional arrests. Additional “young men” were at the scene but remain unidentified because they fled when police arrived, he said.
Kelly said at the scene of the altercation Odom was called his nickname “D.O.” and later identified by follow-up investigative work related to the nickname. Kelly said the victims positively identified Odom by photo.
Odom is a kinesiology major and native of Jackson, Miss. According to lsusports.net, he spends his free time as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette told The Daily Reveille on Thursday that Odom, a third-string linebacker, is a “good kid” who was caught in a “bad situation.”
A misdemeanor summons was issued for Ryan Foyil, 20, at the scene of July 28’s alleged altercation, Kelly said. The summons was for simple assault and disturbing the peace by public intoxication.
“He was one of the people involved in the altercation prior to Odom arriving,” Kelly said.
The Daily Reveille confirmed that Ryan Foyil is redshirt sophomore backup linebacker Ace Foyil, although Foyil is listed in the media guide only as Ace Foyil. Kelly confirmed to The Daily Reveille early Friday that Foyil’s name was listed on the summons “Ryan ‘Ace’ Foyil.”
Miles said Saturday he was unaware of details surrounding Foyil’s involvement in the alleged altercation.
“There’s no information that I have that involves Ace Foyil,” he said. “That’s news to me. I didn’t get that. That’s brand new to me.”
Sports writer Krysten Oliphant contributed to this report.
—–Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]