County police arrested a 19-year-old sophomore yesterday and charged him with the stabbing of freshman defensive back Trenton Hughes, who suffered a non-fatal knife wound during at a weekend party.
Police charged Messai Bogale Belayneh, of Silver Spring, with first-degree assault, a felony, and second-degree assault, a misdemeanor, said Maj. Kevin Davis, who commands Prince George’s County Police District 1. Davis said he could not disclose details about the arrest because police are still investigating the crime.
A dispute that broke out during a party on Knox Road near Commons Building 4 led to the stabbing, police said. Hughes got into an argument with someone who drew a knife and stabbed him in the chest, according to a police account. Hughes was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released.
A court commissioner in Upper Marlboro said Belayneh had not been processed and bond was not set. A Maryland court records search showed Belayneh had not been previously arrested.
The Knox Box apartment identified by police as the location of the party and the fight was also named as Belayneh’s off-campus address. A man who answered the door at the apartment yesterday afternoon denied that he knew Trenton Hughes and said no fighting took place at a party they held over the weekend.
Reached last night at the apartment, sophomore Biniam Abebe, who said he was Belayneh’s roommate, said he was not at the apartment over the weekend and was not aware of the stabbing. Belayneh did not say anything to him about the incident either, Abebe said.
“I wasn’t here, and I didn’t hear nothing about him getting arrested,” Abebe said. “I’m sure I would’ve heard about that.”
Zizi Alfred, a manager at The Diner on North Campus, confirmed Belayneh worked there as a grill chef last semseter, but quit at the start of this semester because “he wasn’t doing that well in school.” A personal friend of Belayneh’s mother, she added, she “couldn’t employ someone whose mom doesn’t want him working.”
Davis praised his department for its speedy reaction to the incident.
“Obviously, we are pleased with this quick arrest,” Davis said. He praised his detectives for dealing with the incident “with a degree of seriousness that we’ve become accustomed to.”
The investigation is still ongoing, Davis said, and no additional details could be revealed.
“I’m very satisfied so far,” he said, “but we’re certainly not done with this.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any additional information is urged to call the Crime Solvers’ Tip Line at 1 (866) 411-TIPS (8477) or the District I Investigative Section at (301) 699-2601. Anyone who calls the Investigative Section can remain confidential if he or she wants, Davis said.
Reporters Kyle Goon and Nandini Jammi contributed to this report. worsleydbk@gmail.com
