By Ashley Wiebe

Two Rattlers basketball players charged with assault with a weapon

Nov 29, 2017 | 11:05 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Two teammates from the Medicine Hat College Rattlers basketball team have been suspended after charges were laid against guard Collin Ralko, 22, and forward Kieron Burgess, 24.

It’s alleged the pair were driving in the 400 block of North Railway Street on November 25th when an air soft gun was fired at a group of people.

“There’s several licensed establishments [in the area] and I know at that time of the morning, 1:30 in the morning, those establishments, patrons are starting to leave and the sidewalks can be quite busy,” said Inspector Joe West.

One person was hit and suffered minor injuries.

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West said officers were thankful witnesses were able to point police in the right direction.

“Some people who were in the area gave us a great description of the vehicle,” he said. “We were able to find the vehicle. We made two arrests and recovered a couple of air soft guns we believe were involved in the incident.”

The two are facing one count of assault with a weapon and are facing more repercussions from the College.

“The first reaction was extreme disappointment,” said Irlanda Price, associate vice-president of student development at the college. “The two athletes in question were suspended immediately when we found out about the incident.”

Price said the suspension will last until further notice.

“We put a lot of energy and confidence into our Rattlers athletes,” she added. “The Rattlers athletes do a ton of work in the community. They’re recognized for their volunteerism, they’re recognized for their community support so to have something like this come to us in this way is very disappointing.”

Price said these actions do not reflect everything the Rattlers work towards every year.

“They’re in schools, they’re volunteering at hospitals,” she said. “Today we had two groups of athletes visiting children at the hospital.”

College staff held a meeting with Ralko and Burgess Wednesday afternoon and will meet with the rest of the players to ensure everyone understands the code of conduct, including what’s expected of them on and off the court.
In a statement, the college said ‘We are always here to support our students and have many services available to them. We have set up meetings with all of the players to ensure that we check in with them, discuss the code of conduct and answer any questions they might have. Their welling is at the forefront of our minds.’

Staff will continue to meet with Ralko and Burgess to ‘ensure that we are following college policies related to non-academic behaviour.’

“I don’t want this kind of a situation or incident to cast that dark shadow over them because these are terrible decisions made by two individuals,” Price added.

Police are continuing with their investigation and believe there may have been a third person in the vehicle.

West is hopeful a witness or the third-party in question comes forward.

Ralko and Burgess are scheduled to make their first court appearances in the new year.