A Drake student was taken to the hospital during the early morning hours of Sept. 19 after being punched and beaten with a wooden stair rail, according to a Des Moines police report.
The victim was in his residence at 1219 34th Steet at 12:30 a.m. when junior James John Hoopes trespassed and broke through two doors to enter the room where the victim was located. Hoopes beat the victim with a wooden stair rail in the head and repeatedly punched him, according to a Des Moines police report.
The victim later received treatment at Mercy Medical Center for a nasal fracture, a black right eye and bruising and swelling of his forehead and the back of his head. The victim pressed civil charges against Hoopes.
Hoopes was arrested Thursday following the investigation on charges of willful injury and assault with a weapon. Des Moines police took Hoopes to the Polk Country Jail and set bond at $5,000. His bond was posted on Friday.
Both Hoopes and the victim live together and are members of the same fraternity. Hoopes is now removed from the fraternity and is living off campus.
Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari says the university is taking the report seriously and is fully investigating the matter.
