Huntington , Cabell County , West Virginia

Defensive back Phillip Warren has been dismissed from the Marhsall football team following a fight outside of a bar early Sunday morning.

He was one of four players arrested. They were all charged with misdemeanors but Warren faced the most serious accusation of punching a police officer in the face. The other players will be disciplined internally.

Marshall head football coach Doc Holliday released this statement Tuesday:

“Defensive back Phillip Warren has been dismissed from the football program due to a violation of team rules and policies. Linebacker Stefone Grace, running back Martin Ward and defensive back Corie Wilson will all be disciplined internally. This will be our last comment on the subject.”

Warren played in 12 of 13 games in 2011, starting in one. He had 26 tackles, two pass breakups, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble.

----------------------

Four Marshall football players are in some trouble off the field after getting caught up in a huge brawl in downtown Huntington.

Ten people were arrested in all, in a huge melee, where shots were fired into the crowd. By the time police broke up the fight, the four players were under arrest for misdemeanors.

"There was like 40 or 50 people fighting, it was a melee, it was huge. I've never seen anything like that," witness Ceasar Tenorio says.

He and his friends walked out of a bar on 4th Avenue early Sunday morning and into the fight scene. A huge crowd has formed and started fighting outside of the bars. Police arrested Tre Monquel Baker for allegedly firing shots into the crowd. They also arrested several other people, including the four football players from Marshall.

Running back Martin Ward was charged with disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Cornerback Corie Wilson was charged with obstructing an officer and fleeing on foot. Linebacker Stephone Grace was charged with obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct. Defensive back Phillip Warren was charged with battery of a police officer, obstruction and disorderly conduct. Police say Warren was yelling at officers and when they tried to arrest him he punched an officer in the face.

It's not clear how the fight started, how the football players allegedly got involved or their future on the team.

Marshall University officials aren't saying much about the incident, but Head Football Coach Doc Holliday did release this statement saying:

"The program is aware of the situation and we are still gathering facts, once that process is complete, I will handle the matter appropriately."

All of the players have now bonded out of jail.

Eyewitness News also learned Marshall basketball players Deandre Kane and Shaquille Johnson got in trouble in the same area of Huntington. They are both facing battery charges for allegedly beating up a guy outside of the Thirsty Whale last year. The two have a bench trial set for May.

How To Contact WCHS-TV8 | Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Terms and Conditions | DMCA Policy | Frequently Asked Questions

Home | Eyewitness News Newsroom | Storm Team Weather | Eyewitness Sports | Schedules

---

Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.

Copyright ©2013, WCHS-TV8. Portions are
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.