Four Vanderbilt University football players have been suspended from the team amidst a sex crimes investigation stemming from an incident Wednesday, the Tennessean reported.
The players, suspended for a "violation of team rules," were not identified and are not believed to be the only ones involved. ABC Nashville first reported Friday that six other student athletes were being investigated as well, making for 10 possible suspects.
The investigation began on Wednesday with campus police investigating a dorm room where the alleged incident occurred. The campus police then notified the Metro Police Sex Crimes Unit, who have not made an arrest as of yet.
"I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police Department's Sex Crimes Unit began an investigation on Wednesday in regard to a matter that was alleged to have occurred at a Vanderbilt University dormitory," Don Aaron, spokesman for Metro police said in a statement. "Our sex crimes detectives became involved as the result of a notification to us on Wednesday from Vanderbilt University police. The investigation remains very much in progress."
Because of the sexual nature of the crime, the victim's identity will not be revealed, but the victim was confirmed to be a Vanderbilt student.
"The well-being of our students is of paramount concern to us, and we will not tolerate any actions that threaten student safety and security," said Beth Fortune, Vanderbilt vice chancellor for public affairs, in a press release.
The university announced the suspensions of the football players around 5:30 p.m. Friday evening.
"Vanderbilt University today announced that four members of its football team were suspended earlier this week for violation of team rules," read the announcement. "As additional facts become known, Vanderbilt will take further action, if and as warranted. Because of Vanderbilt's ongoing investigation, the university will offer further comment when appropriate."
The school and Metro Police declined to disclose any further details due to the active nature of the ongoing investigation. Vanderbilt football coach James Franklin also did not comment on the matter.
