Five men are in custody so far in a savage baseball bat beating and robbery at a Missoula convenience store. Two of the men are former Montana Grizzly football players.

According to the Missoula County Jail roster, 25 year-old Andrew Badger has been charged with felony robbery, felony aggravated assault, and felony tampering with evidence. 26 year-old Tim Parks, also a former Grizzly player and listed as an assistant coach of the Missoula Phoenix Football team, has been charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence, also a felony. Grizzly sports information confirms that Badger and Parks are former UM football players. Both are also affiliated with the Missoula Phoenix.

The Missoula Phoenix has issued a news release stating that Parks and Badger are both suspended from the team until the legal issues surrounding the assault and robbery can be resolved. Owner Michael Burks says he prays for the quick healing of the clerk that was injured in the robbery.

Detective Sergeant Travis Welsh

University of Montana Athletic Director Kent Haslam expressed shock and sadness that former Grizzly football players would be involved in allegedly criminal activity, hoping that the victim would make a full recovery. He said this kind of incident goes against everything Grizzly sports stands for, and that present and former Grizzly athletes continue the tradition of athletic and educational excellence, as well as positive community involvement.

UM Athletic Director Kent Haslam

Others facing charges include  21 year-old Cruz Sebastian Bernardi, 19 year-old Devan Kamaka, and 20 year-old Ikaika Kamaka.  Bernardi is charged with felony robbery and felony tampering or fabricating evidence. Devan Kamaka is charged with felony robbery, felony aggravated assault and felony tampering with evidence. Ikaika Kamaka is charged with felony robbery.

All of the individuals charged will be appearing Friday in Missoula justice court.

The victim of the baseball bat beating was treated for a fractured skull after the attack.

 

 

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