Pullman police arrested WSU PhD student Patrick Mahoney and charged him with 4th degree assault late in the evening of Feb. 28. Mahoney was held at the police department before being released with a set court date.

The alleged assault occurred just outside of campus, near Valhalla Bar and Grill. The victim of the assault, Jay Sani, is said to be an engineering student at WSU.

According to a statement on Facebook, Sani was wearing a red Make America Great Again hat, which Mahoney ripped off before throwing it into the street. An altercation ensued between Sani, Mahoney and Gerald Hoff.

Mahoney and Hoff allegedly threw Sani to the ground and kicked him several times, causing bleeding and further injuries. Mahoney and Goff were not arrested until later in the night after the altercation occurred.

“One or more of them then proceeded to kick Jay Sani while he collapsed on the concrete. Later that night, Pullman PD arrested both Patrick Mahoney and Gerald Hoff and took them to jail,” Sani said on Facebook. “They were both charged with 4th degree assault and later released.”

Mahoney is a PhD student in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs. He also served as the guide for United Auto Workers 4591, a union for WSU student employees.

WSU suspended and removed Mahoney from all classes he previously taught.