Bucknell Student Charged With Assaulting Officers in February Dorm Incident

A 19-year-old Western Springs, Illinois man is free on $25,000 bail after Bucknell University police charged him with two counts of felony aggravated assault for an incident inside Smith Hall on February 14 in which he allegedly struck an officer in the throat with his elbow.

Liam David Rooney faces a five-count charging document filed through the office of District Judge Jeffrey A. Rowe that also includes two misdemeanor counts of simple assault and one count of misdemeanor resisting arrest. A preliminary hearing at Rowe's office is set for March 19.

According to Sergeant Steve Persing of Bucknell University police, officers were called to Smith Hall after a residential advisor reported an intoxicated student. The RA told Persing and another officer that the suspect had tried to enter a female student's locked room before fleeing.

Officers found Rooney in a third-floor bathroom, where he allegedly gave a fictitious name. He then shoved an officer and ran down the hallway. As officers attempted to place him in handcuffs, Rooney struck one of the officers in the throat with his elbow, according to the affidavit. Buffalo Valley Regional Police responded to assist, and Rooney was eventually handcuffed.

While being evaluated at a hospital following the arrest, Rooney told officers, "I thought I could take you two," and said his ego had gotten the better of him, according to the charging account.