Austin News
WATCH: Man stabbed outside fraternity party on West Campus
06:27 PM CDT on Thursday, July 2, 2009
A 20-year-old was stabbed while escorting a man out of a party at a fraternity house on West Campus early Thursday morning, Austin police said.
One Greek house lines another in West Campus. Beer bottles, boxes, and cans litter many of the yards. At the Zeta Psi Fraternity house at 2806 Nueces, the trash of a party over night spilled onto the front porch and out the front gate.
"There (are) parties every single night. It's pretty crazy; every night," said De Marin, student.
Police say the fraternity was recruiting new members Wednesday night when Austin Rhoads, 21, and a friend showed up at the party uninvited.
"There are a lot of people that just kind of crash the parties. It's just kind of common knowledge if there's going to be one," said Anita Worthington, student.
Police say the fraternity didn't mind until just before 3 a.m. Thursday when one of the uninvited guests pulled out a knife.
"They didn't know who they were. They weren't invited there, and one of them is showing around some sort of weapon, so they figured 'Hey, it's best to get these guys out of here,'" said Cpl. Scott Perry, APD.
Police say Rhoads refused to leave.
"If you're not in their fraternity and stuff, they usually don't let you in. I guess this is pretty much why," said Marin.
Police say Rhoads stabbed one of the fraternity brothers at the front gate of the house when they tried to push him out. Rhoads and his friend ran away up Guadalupe. The fraternity called 911.
Officers caught up with Rhoads and his friend about five blocks from the house at 34th and Guadalupe. They took both into custody.
"They were identified by the numerous witnesses who were still at the party, as well as the victim," said Perry.
APD
Austin Rhoads
Police arrested Rhoads and charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. They let his friend go.
University officials believe the stabbing is an isolated attack.
"We are a large city and incidents like this happen. We do have 50,000 students on our campus. It's unfortunate; it's not surprising," said Doug Garrard, UT’s Dean of Student Services office.
Signs on campus advertise more parties this week, but the stabbing has some students on edge.
"It makes me more hesitant. Knowing somebody got stabbed kind of makes you not want to go," said Worthington.
"I can take care of myself. If someone has a knife I'll pick up a chair and hit them," said Lance Kennedy, student.
The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to Brackenridge Hospital with a non-life threatening stab injury on his body.
The university says it has since talked to the Zeta Psi fraternity to see if its members need counseling. They say they're also prepared for more students at the counseling office who may be worried about their safety.
More Austin Headlines...
Most Viewed Stories
Below is a list of the most popular stories read by our subscribers this week.
Wylie man beaten to death for asking teen to stop speeding
New football helmet designed to reduce concussion effects
Police chase ends in Plano front yard
Officials seize Bentley, Maserati, jewelry in gang-related drug bust
'Bodies ... The Exhibition' comes to Dallas' West End in November




>