Houston on-field security worker charged with assault
A Houston security worker has been charged with misdemeanor assault following an incident that took place on-field after the Cougars defeated Temple in the AAC title game Dec. 5, the Houston Press reports.
Cameras captured the security guards physically preventing fans from storming the field, forcefully in some instances, after the team clinched the conference and a Peach Bowl berth. Derrick Hicks was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday after striking a fan in the face twice during the incident. He is currently the only guard charged, but he was not the only one to throw students to the ground. The issue is not yet fully resolved, as the DA office continues to investigate what was essentially a melee.
The university has since cut ties with its security contractor.
From the Houston Press:
Harris County DA's Office spokesman Jeff McShan said that office is still investigating other guards who were on the field that day. From several videos, it's clear that Derrick Hicks wasn't a lone rogue guard, and from the videos, it's not clear what the guards thought they could accomplish by singling out and throwing down a couple dozen students as hundreds rushed past them. In some footage, McShan said, some guards appeared to be enticing or challenging students to get on the field.
The Cougars finished 13–1 after beating Florida State in the Peach Bowl.
