Charges recommended against Roof

COUGARS

PULLMAN - Pullman Police have recommended one second-degree assault charge and five fourth-degree assault charges against Washington State defensive tackle Andy Roof.

The recommendations, sent this week to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office, are the results of a weeklong investigation after Roof, 22, was arrested outside a house party April 16. Second-degree assault is a felony, whereas fourth-degree assault is a gross misdemeanor.

Police allege Roof assaulted - punching or head-butting - six people early that morning after he was refused entry into the party. Alcohol was involved, police say.

The second-degree recommendation stems from Roof’s alleged assault of a victim who suffered broken facial bones, said Pullman police Sgt. Dan Dornes. The other five recommendations are for Roof’s alleged assault on five other victims.

Roof’s future on the WSU football team was still undecided, football spokesman Bill Stevens said Monday. The coaches will take appropriate action after gathering enough information.