By
Kevin Clerici
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Injured freshman has not filed complaint with Tucson Police
Police are trying to identify an officer who fired a "bean bag" projectile that hit a University of Arizona student in the face during an April 2 riot - an injury that cost him an eye.
Freshman Jeff Knepper, 19, was injured when Tucson Police tried to disperse rioters who were burning cars and breaking windows on North Fourth Avenue following the Wildcats' loss in the 2001 National Championship game.
Sgt. Judy Altieri, a department spokeswoman, said yesterday that police began investigating once they learned of Knepper's injury.
Contrary to recent media reports, Knepper has not filed a complaint with the police department, Altieri said.
"They were misinformed," she said. "If he filed a complaint or not, the police department will continue to investigate."
Knepper spoke with officers last week, Altieri said.
"We tracked him to his residence," she said. "He was fully cooperative and gave his statement."
Knepper has not tried to contact officers since then, she said.
Assistant Police Chief Roberto Villase–or said he didn't know how Knepper got shot in the head. Knepper stated that he was walking away from police when he was hit.
"We would not try and fire at locations of the body where it could cause severe injury," Villase–or said last week.
Knepper had his left eye surgically removed during a two-day stay at University Medical Center last week. He is - however - still enrolled in school.
Knepper has repeatedly declined to be interviewed. Rob Scherillo, a management information systems junior and president of Delta Tau Delta, Knepper's fraternity, has been speaking with the media on his behalf.
Scherillo said Knepper, who grew up in a Denver suburb, is in high spirits and is spending time with his family.
"I know he's not speaking to anyone about the incident," Scherillo said. "It's the last thing he wants to focus on. I'm sure this has become a bother."
The officers fired bean bags - 1-inch diameter cloth bags filled with lead birdshot - and rubber bullets to break up the crowds. The bean bags are fired from a 12-gauge shotgun.
At least two people received head injuries from what police referred to as "non-lethal weapons" during the riot.
Police officer Alison Scott, 40, suffered minor injuries after being struck in the ear by "friendly fire."
Villase–or said he did not have details on how she was shot either.
He also added that officers are trained to fire the bean bags below the waist. Scott said an officer who violates training in the use of non-lethal weapons could face punishment.
Villase–or said Knepper suffered a terrible loss, but he noted that the university freshman shouldn't have been on the street when police began to clear the crowd.
''Anyone with common sense would have said that this is the time to leave,'' Villase–or said. ''It's not a spectator sport. You don't have the right to just watch a riot.''
Seventeen people were arrested during the riot for a range of charges, including assault and disorderly conduct. Seven of them were students.
Knepper was not one of them.
