PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Former University of Portland employee Patrick Ell has been accused of assaulting a current staff member on Friday night.
The 52-year-old allegedly attacked the university’s Associate Vice President of Student Development, Dr. Matthew Rygg, in an altercation off-campus. Police said the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. in a residential area off of NE Cleveland Avenue and NE Dekum Street.
Ell was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on an assault charge but was released on bail the following day.
According to an email sent to UP students and staff obtained by KOIN 6 News, the university issued a no trespass order to Ell — barring him from university property and events. The email also listed various university resources for any student or staff member upset by the incident.
Sema Pankin was one of the students who got the email alert. He told KOIN 6 News he was surprised by the notice.
“I was a bit upset and frustrated that this thing happened because it’s not a good thing,” said Pankin. “We have a really nice school where all people are really kind. I was like, ‘how is this possible?'”
The email, sent by UP Spokesperson Michael Lewellen, called the situation “deeply upsetting.” Lewellen declined to comment further, telling KOIN 6 “The University of Portland is declining any comment due to the active nature of this criminal investigation.”
The university email went on to list counseling resources for students and staff upset or impacted by the incident.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this developing story.