Two Rutgers defensive backs were suspended Tuesday after being arrested by campus police for what Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano called “an incident involving a paintball gun.”
Malachi “Max” Melton and Chris Long were charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, according to court records obtained by NJ Advance Media.
Three students were struck by paintballs fired from a passing vehicle at about 10 p.m. Monday night on the school’s Livingston Campus in Piscataway, N.J. The students sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention, per multiple reports.
The two players were taken into custody early Tuesday and later released on their own recognizance. Their initial court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
“I was informed that Chris Long and Malachi Melton were taken into police custody early this morning as a result of an incident involving a paintball gun,” Schiano said in a statement. “Both players have been suspended immediately.”
Melton is in his second season at Rutgers and leads the team in passes defensed (four) and interceptions (two), including a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown against Temple on Sept. 4.
Long played in two games as a freshman in 2020 but has not recorded any statistics yet this season.
Rutgers (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) opens conference play Saturday at No. 19 Michigan (3-0, 0-0).
