Two men were arrested earlier this month after forcing their way into a woman's dorm room on the University of Arizona campus, according to interim complaints.
According to the complaints, Ryan Marshall and Frankie Trotty tailgated into the Arbol de la Vida dorm on Feb. 15. Neither man had authorized access to the facility, the complaints said.
University officials said they couldn't speak directly to the incident, since it's an ongoing investigation, but say the case underscores the risks of tailgating into secured residence halls.
“Tailgating is a problem and if individuals don’t belong to that residence hall or they’re not guests and they shouldn’t be there, they really should be reported,” said Chris Olson, chief of the University of Arizona Police Department.
Some students say the practice of tailgating isn't uncommon.
“Normally, everyone just kind of follows in after the first person that opens the door,” said Grayson Kastelic, a freshman at the university who lives in Arbol de la Vida. “So I’m sure it does happen.” He added, “I mean, I’m sure it could have been prevented.”
The two men headed to the room of a female resident, with whom Marshall had been in a year-long relationship, the complaint on his arrest said. The resident tried to lock her door when she saw Marshall, but he reportedly pushed his way inside, the complaint said.
Trotty followed Marshall into the room, the complaint on his arrest said. The victim told investigators she felt unable to leave because both men were blocking the doorway, the complaint said.
Once inside, a physical struggle took place, the complaint said. Marshall is accused of hitting and pushing the victim, which resulted in injuries to her face, stomach and legs.
At one point, Marshall told Trotty to get a gun from their vehicle. The resident grabbed a knife and stabbed Marshall, causing both men to flee the scene, the complaint said.
Amanda Kraus, the university’s vice president for student affairs, also declined to comment directly on the incident because the investigation is ongoing but emphasized campus safety measures.
“Student safety is the priority across student affairs,” Kraus said. “Overwhelmingly, students indicated they felt very safe on campus.”
That sentiment was echoed by Sofia Pacheco, another Arbol de la Vida resident.
“I still feel safe, just because I take the extra precautions, which is how I grew up,” Pacheco said.
Marshall faces charges of domestic violence kidnapping, second-degree burglary, domestic violence aggravated assault and first-degree criminal trespass. Trotty was charged with first-degree criminal trespass.
