Madison (WQOW) -- The Madison Police Department confirms Montee Ball was present at a fight involving Wisconsin football players.
According to a press release, the fight took place July 27th and involved players, Wisconsin students and a number of non-students. Police say that while Ball was present at the fight, there is no evidence to suggest he was involved.
Early Wednesday morning, Ball was attacked by five men in downtown Madison. He was taken to the hospital and released later that morning. Badgers head coach Bret Bielema says Ball will miss practice time due to injuries stemming from that attack.
As for the attackers, police have several persons of interest according to the press release. Ball and a number of football players have been interviewed by police. The release says the players and UW Athletics Department have been cooperative.
==========================================================
Madison Police Department Press Release:
UPDATE 8/4/2012 The Madison Police Department, through information developed by detectives, have determined that there was a fight that occurred Friday night (July 27th-28th) which involved UW students, members of the UW football team, and other individuals that were not affiliated with the University of Wisconsin's Athletics Department. We have also determined that Montee Ball was present at the location of that fight, but we have no information that leads us to believe that he had any involvement in that particular event. There was one individual that did sustain an injury during the fight, and was subsequently treated at a local hospital for that injury. There is a potential for charges to be pursued, related to the investigated fight, but no charges have been filed. As this investigation is ongoing, specific details outlining the identities of either victims or involved parties are not being released.
As the Madison Police Department attempts to direct its focus to the attack of Montee Ball on 8/1/2012, at approximately 2:15am, helpful information has also been developed through interviews and available video evidence. The detectives have developed several persons of interests on the attack of Montee Ball, and are following up on subsequent leads. Several UW football players have been interviewed, and we have received full cooperation from The Athletics Department, all players including Montee Ball. Other details about this incident will not be released, as there are a number of investigative leads that are being pursued. It is important to note that in a high profile case such as this, we should reserve judgment and limit the amount of misinformation that is disseminated, as it does not help the investigation that is being conducted by The Madison Police Department. Chief Wray has stated, "Although Montee Ball was assaulted on a public street, this incident does not fit the pattern of random violence that we have seen in recent weeks in downtown Madison".
PO Howard Payne
