Brian Tedder

Christian M. Haggerty, a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts and a varsity lacrosse player was arrested by Amherst Police yesterday afternoon for his role in an assault at 304 North Pleasant St. last Friday.

Haggerty, 19, of West Nyack, N.Y., was charged with two counts of assault and battery, including inflicting serious bodily injury and assault with a deadly weapon (shod foot), and one count of breaking and entering.

The sophomore is the only individual arrested in connection with the beating, but Amherst Police confirmed that additional arrests may be forthcoming as the investigation is still underway.

The department’s initial investigation alleged that approximately 12 young men forcibly entered the property and beat three college-aged males with lacrosse sticks and bottles, sending the victims to the hospital.

Amherst Police Department declined further comment.

Haggerty lives at 308 North Pleasant St. in a red brick apartment complex on a parcel directly adjacent to the alleged scene of the crime.

Haggerty’s Amherst residence is separated from 304 North Pleasant St., a two and one-half story structure with faded red clapboard siding, by the property’s driveway.

The complex features several residences and its front porch was riddled with empty beer cans and plastic cups as of yesterday afternoon.

One neighbor of the complex described the scene around the house to be chaotic during the time immediately following the alleged incident. Though he did not witness the attack, the resident briefly stepped outside after hearing people scream and yell from the nearby property.

Yesterday’s arrest is part of Amherst Police Department’s ongoing investigation.

Last Saturday, eight members of the University of Massachusetts men’s lacrosse were suspended indefinitely, due to a violation of team rules stemming from an off-campus incident.

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian confirmed that one of Haggerty’s suspended teammates, junior Jim Connolly, a North Andover native, also resides at the address. It is unclear whether any of the other six suspended lacrosse players live at the place of the alleged incident..

As for the seven other suspended players, the suspensions only apply as athletes and their standing as students at UMass has not been affected.

That may change, however, when the Amherst Police completes its investigation.

If the police investigation revealed that the other seven were in violation of the University’s Code of Student Conduct, the school may take disciplinary action. However, UMass is forbidden by privacy laws from releasing information about student violators of the code. This policy applies to all students, including non-student-athletes.

The athletic department was unable to confirm if Haggerty’s suspension and arrest were related to the same incident.

Meanwhile, the lacrosse team continues to practice without the eight suspended athletes.

“On behalf of the athletic department, we have no comment at this time. [UMass men’s lacrosse] coach Greg Cannella is not available for comment,” UMass Sports Information Director Jason Yellin said.

UMass spokesman Ed Blaguszewski also declined to comment on behalf of the University.

Haggerty will be arraigned today in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Hadley.

Michael King can be reached at [email protected].