A now-former WSU instructor is facing charges after allegedly attacking a student who was wearing a “Take America Back” hat on campus.
PULLMAN, Wash. — A now-former instructor at Washington State University (WSU) is facing assault charges after he allegedly attacked a student wearing a pro-Trump “Take America Back” hat.
According to a Pullman Police report, a WSU student reported that he was attacked by WSU instructor and graduate student Patrick Mahoney in late February.
KREM 2 is choosing not to name the student because he is not being investigated or charged.
The student claims that Mahoney grabbed his “Take America Back” hat and threw it on the road. The student responded by throwing his food at Mahoney. He says Mahoney and his friend then grabbed him and took him to the ground.
The student claims he eventually raised his hands to “not make the fight worse,” and Mahoney and his friend left.
The student told police he knows Mahoney because they are in opposing political groups on campus.
Police contacted Mahoney later that night, and he reportedly admitted to throwing the student’s Trump hat and telling him to “go get it.”
Mahoney told police he thought that would be the end of it, but claims the student “body checked” him and they started to fight. He told officers he had seen the student on campus before and was aware of the student’s “right-wing” views.
Police then arrested and cited Mahoney and his friend for 4th-degree assault.
The university confirmed that Mahoney was relieved of his teaching duties indefinitely, but remains a graduate student at WSU. His codefendant was an hourly employee at WSU and the university says he was terminated following the school and police investigations.
KREM 2 did reach out to Mahoney, his friend and the student for comment. None have responded.
