FSU's Hayes, Surratt Arrested After Incident Outside Bar
Published: Sep 22, 2007
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TALLAHASSEE - Florida State starting linebacker Geno Hayes was Tasered by police and arrested, along with fullback Joe Surratt after an altercation outside a Tallahassee bar early Friday morning.
Both were suspended by the team until a review of the case, in keeping with the school's student-athlete code of conduct, FSU athletic director Dave Hart said.
Surratt, 21, was charged with a felony count of battery on an officer and misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence. Hayes, 20, faces three misdemeanor charges of assault on an officer, resisting arrest without violence and disorderly conduct.
The two were taken to Leon County Jail and released after Hayes posted a $1,250 bail and Surratt $1,750.
Tallahassee police spokesman David McCranie said the incident happened about 1:45 a.m. Friday.
According to McCranie and police reports, two officers saw Hayes without a shirt on, trying to get inside Potbellys, a bar near FSU's campus. Quarterback Drew Weatherford and other friends were trying to keep Hayes, who was "screaming profanities and waving his hands wildly," from going back inside, McCranie said.
A bar employee told police Hayes had been involved in an "altercation" at the bar, and his friends were trying to take him home.
Officer Michael Malafronte tried to calm Hayes, but McCranie said Hayes broke free from his friends and ran toward the officer with his fists clenched and yelling threats.
Hayes, down on the ground while Malafronte and Officer Michael Petroczky tried to arrest him, tried to stand up, McCranie said, and Malafronte shot the linebacker with his Taser. As the officers were attempting to handcuff Hayes, Surratt ran toward them with an aircast on his right leg, McCranie said. They told him to back away but he wouldn't, McCranie said.
Petroczky then pushed Surratt, who fell to the ground. As the officer tried to arrest him, Surratt hit him in the face, cutting Petroczky in the lower lip, McCranie said.
Hayes is considered FSU's most talented linebacker and the only starting linebacker who returned this year.
Surratt, FSU's starting fullback most of last season, fractured his right leg in a scrimmage last month and isn't expected to play until midseason at the earliest.
Florida State has a bye this week.
"We are continuing to gather facts related to the circumstances," Hart said.
