The Charleston Police Department has denied a request to release information pertaining to an alleged assault and battery charge that resulted in serious injuries to two Eastern students in early April.

The Daily Eastern News received a letter on Friday from Charleston Police Chief Bryan Baker, who claimed an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act.

Baker said in the letter that no arrests or charges have been filed and that the incident is an ongoing investigation. He is denying the request so it will not interfere with the CPD trying to develop a suspect and make an arrest.

“Disclosure of investigative reports would potentially compromise the investigation when legal proceedings are planned if at all possible,” Baker’s letter states. “The victims in this case have sustained substantial injuries and the risk of compromising this investigation precludes the release of information at this time.”

One of the students had to take a medical withdrawal from the university this semester. The other student may have to have orbital bone surgery.

Baker cited 5 Illinois Compiled Statute 140/7 (1)(d)(i) of the Illinois FOIA as an exemption. It states that information that will interfere with pending or actual reasonably contemplated law enforcement proceedings conducted by any law enforcement or correctional agency that receives the request is an exemption.

The DEN filed a Freedom of Information Act request April 13 after a copy of the incident report was not supplied.

We’re just about a week away from the end of the school year now, which means this will officially be the last issue of Minority Today until the upcoming Fall semester.

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