The extent of injuries sustained by a 16-year-old male who was badly beaten while visiting Franklin Pierce University over the weekend will impact the charges given to those involved.
Rindge police are working to find out how badly the teen was injured on Saturday while at a dorm room party. Rindge Police Chief Daniel Anair said Monday that he was told surgery would be involved, but police do not yet know what the specific injuries are.
Malynowski said it is no longer likely that as many as eight students could face charges, though she declined to give a specific number.
“We are actively working on this case and progress is being made quickly,” Malynowski said.
A statement provided by the university says campus safety officials called the police after an altercation took place between a Franklin Pierce student or students and an “unregistered visitor.”
“When the visitor refused to cooperate with campus safety, who arrived to investigate the incident Saturday night, Rindge police were contacted by the University and were asked to intervene in the matter,” the statement said.
The statement said the university is cooperating with law enforcement and will not release more information at this time.
Police have yet to provide any narrative or motive behind the assault.
Malynowski said she expects a final decision on charges – whether through an arrest or a direct indictment – to be forthcom ing in the near future.
Police responded to FPU on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and left around 1 a.m. on Sunday to deal with vandalism that had been taking place in the area of the Rindge Town Common.