Madison police are investigating several suspects who may have attacked Wisconsin Badgers running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Montee Ball on University Avenue early Wednesday morning.
Detectives are continuing to gather information regarding the suspects, according to Madison police officer Howard Payne. They have reviewed surveillance tapes, interviewed other University of Wisconsin-Madison football players and have received full cooperation from the UW Athletic Department.
Police said five unidentified African-American men attacked 21-year-old Ball while he was walking with friends on the 500 block of University Avenue around 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain.
Witnesses said the five suspects jumped Ball, knocking and kicking him to the ground, according to police. Ball was treated for head injuries at a hospital and released.
Head coach Bret Bielema said Ball is currently under UW-Madison sports medicine staff care and supervision.
“We will continue to evaluate him as we approach the start of fall camp this weekend,” Bielama said in a statement. “I do expect Montee to make a full recovery.”
DeSpain said Ball does not know the attackers. The police department is investigating the incident as an “unprovoked assault.”
“What we don’t know at this point for certain is whether or not this victim was targeted for who he is,” DeSpain said.
Police also said a fight occurred on July 27 between UW-Madison students, members of the football team and other individuals. Detectives have not confirmed whether or not the two fights are related.
Ball was present at the July 27 incident, but Payne said there is no evidence suggesting Ball was involved in that fight.
Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said there has been an increase in violent behavior from loitering crowds on State Street and the 500 and 600 blocks of University Avenue.
Because of recent crime, including a downtown shooting on May 19, Madison city officials doubled funding from $50,000 to $100,000 for a city-wide safety program primarily to increase police presence on the weekends.
The additional police resources are focused on the problem areas, according to DeSpain.
Police Chief Noble Wray said this latest incident does not match the recent trend of unprovoked attacks in the downtown area.
“Although Montee Ball was assaulted on a public street, this incident does not fit the pattern of random violence that we have seen in recent weeks in downtown Madison,” Wray said in a statement.
