Student faces assault charges
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — A Slippery Rock University student is accused of assaulting a security officer with a vape pen at an off-campus apartment complex.
Keynon W. Griffiths, 19, of Pittsburgh was arrested on felony assault and other charges stemming from the Friday night altercation at the University Village at Slippery Rock.
State police said Griffiths also unsuccessfully tried to grab one of the security officer's handguns.
A freshman majoring in corporate security at SRU, the suspect is being held in the Butler County Prison on $25,000 bail.
A pair of private security officers at the apartment complex initially contacted Griffiths who they suspected was intoxicated, according to court documents.
While escorting the defendant to the security office, he allegedly pulled out an object that one of the officers believed was a stun gun device. He struck the officer with the object, which turned out to be a large vape pen, authorities said.
A vape pen is used to vaporize E-cigarette ingredients and is just a larger form of an E-cigarette.
Griffiths later went toward the same officer's holstered firearm. The officer thwarted the suspect from getting the gun.
Once at the security building, state police said, the defendant struck the other security officer numerous times and broke a space heater. He also damaged a wall in the scuffle.
Two troopers about 11 p.m. eventually had to take the suspect to the ground. Still, police said, he remained “defiant” even after being placed in the back seat of the patrol car.
Griffiths is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, harassment, public drunkenness and underage drinking.
