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West Virginia High School Basketball Player Faces Felony Charges Following On-Court Incident
An 18-year-old West Virginia high school athlete is facing serious felony assault charges after allegedly striking an opposing player in the face with his elbow during a basketball game, resulting in a broken nose. Court documents recently obtained reveal details of the incident that led to the arrest of Gage Ketterman, a basketball player at Harman School.
Arrest and Allegations
Gage Ketterman, an 18-year-old student and basketball player from Harman School, was taken into custody last Monday in connection with the alleged in-game assault. The charges stem from an incident during a game between Harman School and Union High School.
State Police Investigation Initiated
The West Virginia State Police were alerted to the alleged attack on February 27. This notification came hours after the basketball game when the injured Union High School student’s mother reported the incident.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to court documents, the mother stated her son was intentionally “elbowed in the face” by Ketterman. The impact reportedly caused the victim’s nose to bleed “profusely” for over four hours, necessitating a trip to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Video Evidence Corroborates Claims
Investigators with the state police reviewed video footage of the basketball game, which reportedly supported the mother’s account of the incident.
Police Report Details “Intentional” Actions
Law enforcement officials stated the video evidence depicted Ketterman thrusting his elbow “directly into the face” of the opposing player. The footage also purportedly captured instances of Ketterman taunting other players, including striking them in the back of the head.
Further Details from the Video
- Ketterman observed “wiping something” off his elbow after the alleged strike.
- Authorities described Ketterman’s actions as “intentional and criminally malicious.”
Adult Felony Charges Explained
Due to Ketterman’s age of 18 at the time of the alleged incident, he is being charged as an adult, authorities confirmed. A warrant was issued for malicious assault, along with two additional warrants for attempted malicious assault.
Court Proceedings Underway
Ketterman was apprehended last Monday and subsequently released the same day after posting a $12,500 bond, as indicated by West Virginia Magistrate Court records.
Next Court Date Scheduled
His next scheduled court appearance is set for May 22.