Man attacks event attendee at Ricker Center

DELTA COLLEGE RICKER CENTER- Mid-morning on Feb. 25 a man assaulted an attendee of an event that took place at the Ricker Center gymnasium. The event was a substance abuse program meeting sponsored by an outside organization, unrelated to Delta College.

A suspect has been identified by the Buena Vista Police Department, who are investigating the incident. He is a black male in his mid-forties, but further information on him has not been released. He was not armed and did not use any weapons in the assault.

An ambulance was called and the victim received medical attention. The status and identity of the victim have not been released.

Klecker said the two men involved had a disagreement.

“Basically it had something to do with words that were said that had to do with a girlfriend,” Klecker said.

Classes continued as scheduled on Feb. 25, with tightened security measures taken by Delta College.

According to Delta College Public Safety Manager Steve Witzke, all off-campus facilities have safety officers in the evenings. They are part-time college employees to ensure students’ safety and enforce campus policies. However, in the event of an emergency or incident, local law enforcement are notified. Witzke said that since this incident did not have anything to do with Delta’s students, there was no threat and no reason to cancel classes.
“We also have a good rapport with local law enforcement at all (of Delta’s) centers,” Witzke said. “This incident wasn’t student related.”

Witzke also said there is a Ricker Center Liaison Officer with the Buena Vista Police Department, who checks in regularly.

Klecker said this type of event is unusual at the Ricker Center and there has not been an incident of the like in five or more years.

“We don’t get called down there for these types of incidents,” Klecker said. “This is a rare and isolated incident of assault. There were plenty of witnesses there; it is a pretty cut and dry case.”