TCU's KaVontae Turpin suspended following assault arrest

TCU receiver and standout returner KaVontae Turpin has been suspended from the team following his arrest over the weekend on an assault charge.

According to Tarrant County jail records, Turpin was booked Sunday for assault causing bodily injury to a family member. It was hours after TCU's loss to Oklahoma.

TCU students call him Turpin Time. The senior star player caught the ball on the one-yard line and returned it for a 99-yard touchdown against Oklahoma Saturday. That game was at 11 a.m.

An arrest affidavit states that around 11:30 that night in the parking lot of the Edge 55 apartments near campus, a man saw KaVontae Turpin "manhandle [a woman] by grabbing her from behind with one arm across her neck, her feet dragging as she kicked and yelled at him."

The affidavit states that Turpin and the victim have been "in a romantic relationship for five years" and that "Turpin had gotten angry with her because [he] believed that [she] was sending photos of herself to other people."

It states that Turpin "dragged her across the parking lot to [his] apartment...dragging her...slammed her to the ground...and they started to wrestle."

The affidavit states that Turpin stole her phone and car keys, and she ran to a neighbor's apartment, where a man let her in and called 911.

TCU students are stunned by Turpin's arrest and are glad he has been suspended from the team as a result.

“It's just morally reprehensible to stand down and let that be okay,” said student Erin Koyamatsu.

“I think it's disappointing because he's such a great athlete,” said student Kersten Draths. “But it would reflect negatively on the school if we showed that we support someone who does something like that.”

“I've talked to him a couple times. He seems like a really nice dude,” Koyamatsu said. “I know football is huge. We're in Texas. It's very competitive, but it's a sport versus a crime and a life.”

Coach Gary Patterson said Monday that he hadn't seen the police report, but said Turpin probably won't play against Kansas State Saturday.

Turpin already has a warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear in court in New Mexico this summer. He was arrested for battery and other charges in Las Cruces, New Mexico in March during TCU's spring break.

“He is a student-athlete but he is still a student,” said student Andrew McClure. “So I think he should have the same repercussions as a normal student here.”

TCU officials said in a statement that it's taking the situation seriously.

“TCU expects its students to behave in an ethical manner, abide by campus policies and adhere to state and federal law. The student also may face a charge of violating the University Code of Student Conduct, the results of which are independent and separate from any legal charges,” the school said.

Turpin has been released from jail. It’s unclear if Turpin has faced any repercussions for that arrest.