Junior receiver and Gainesville native Chris Thompson has found himself in some hot water.
The Gainesville Police Department has issued a sworn complaint against Thompson, charging him with misdemeanor simple battery/dating violence, stemming from an altercation with an ex-girlfriend on April 1. Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun was first to report the charges after Thompson had been absent at practice.
The complaint has been forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office and will be investigated before a final decision is made whether Thompson will face any actual charges.
” Chris obviously had an incident here, I don’t know, sometime last week. He’s dealing with that and been excused from what we’re doing right now until it’s resolved,” head coach Jim McElwain said. “That’s kind of how we’re dealing with it. We’ll find out as it goes forward, find out what goes on with it.”
According to the complaint, Thompson received a text message from another female and an argument ensued. While attempting to retrieve his cellphone from the alleged victim, Thompson, allegedly, scratched and bruised her arms and scratched her neck, leaving lacerations.
Thompson was not taken into custody.
McElwain did not say that Thompson had been dismissed or kicked off the team, rather that the junior is “excused” until the situation and legal process plays itself out. Thompson is battling for a starting position as well as playing time, something he has had seldom of during his first two seasons in Gainesville.