 "Photo: Alex Blackwelder")
Campus Police arrested an MTSU student at 10:14 a.m. Wednesday following a confrontation over a parking spot with another student that led to a bloody assault involving a bladed instrument.
The incident took place after two MTSU students tried to pull into the same parking place in the Bell Street parking lot.
"Both individuals were in the lot waiting on a space when both of them tried to pull into the same spot," said Chief of Police Buddy Peaster. "At some point, both individuals got out of their vehicles and approached each other, though it is uncertain whether this happened immediately after they got out of their cars or a few minutes after."
One of the drivers, Starlett Custer, then allegedly assailed the other driver by pulling a sharp instrument out of her purse and repeatedly cutting her.
"There was blood all over. Blood on her hair, blood on the car, blood on the pavement," said parking authority employee Howard Rhodes, who was working in the parking lot when the assault happened. "It was ugly. It seemed like [Custer] came at her 20 times."
MTSU police arrived after a 911 call was sent to the Murfreesboro Police Department, and the department notified campus authorities. Along with the MTSU police and MPD, EMS and the Murfreesboro Fire Department were also sent to the scene of the crime.
The 17-year-old victim, whose name is being withheld, was taken by ambulance to Middle Tennessee Medical Center for treatment of her lacerations. She was then transferred to Vanderbilt Medical Center a few hours later for specialized attention. According to police, the victim was cut on her face, left shoulder, fingers and hands, though it is possible she may have sustained further injuries.
"The wounds that the victim received are consistent with defensive wounds," said Peaster. "There was some difficulty getting the ambulance to the scene of the crime within the Bell Street lot, and at least three or four illegally parked cars had to be towed in order for the ambulance to reach the victim."
Custer was detained at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and was eligible for bail as of last night.
"It was a very unfortunate incident," said MTSU President Sidney McPhee. "I hope that this will teach students to make better decisions when it comes to the parking situation. [MTSU] has more than enough parking, and students need to learn to plan ahead and come to campus earlier so that they can make it to class on time. We are very sorry for what happened to this young girl, and we hope that she will get well and make a quick recovery."
Custer is being charged with one count of aggravated assault, which is a Class A felony and has a sentence length of anywhere from 15 to 60 years.
Authorities are still looking for anyone who might have witnessed or heard the assault in order to form a more complete picture of what actually transpired Wednesday morning. Anyone with information pertaining to the assault should notify Campus Police at 615-898-2424.
MPD also appeared at the scene of the crime in response to the 911 call.
"We are extremely thankful to the Murfreesboro Police Department for their assistance not only in this situation but in day-to-day situations as well," said Peaster. "It is important for not only the staff, faculty and students of MTSU for us to be able to do our jobs as efficiently and effectively as possible, but also the community. We urge anyone with knowledge about this incident to contact us as soon as possible."
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