U of R football player charged with assault after fight

Nearly two weeks after a brawl outside the campus bar, an assault charge has been laid against a University of Regina Rams football player.

Takudzwa Timothy Brandon Gandire, a defensive back with the Rams, has been charged with assault causing bodily harm and failure to comply with undertaking.

The fight happened just after midnight Saturday, Oct. 6 outside The Owl, the university bar.

A video was posted to social media showing the altercation between a group of young men. One of the men gets hit and falls to the ground and does not move. The person who posted the video claimed it involved members of the Regina Rams football team. It’s unclear whether Gandire is in the video.

According to police, officers were called to the bar for a group of men fighting. EMS ended up treating some people for minor injuries. Police said they interviewed several people, but “there was no complaint from any of the participants at that time.”

The following Tuesday, police said they found out one of the people in the fight had been taken to hospital and that morning got a report of an assault from that fight.

Eventually, Gandire, listed on the University of Regina Rams’ roster as Brandon Gandire, was arrested and charged.

Gandire, 21, has been suspended from team activities while the matter is before the courts.

More than a week ago, the University of Regina said it was investigating the fight as well.

Rams Head Coach Stephen Bryce said at the time, he’s aware of the video and the investigation being done into it.

“We’re supporting that and co-operating with that in every measure,” Bryce said.

He said some of his players have been questioned about the incident. He’s unsure if one or more of his players were involved in the fight.

“We have to trust the process of the investigation with the University and let them do their talking with everybody that’s involved so they can find the answers.”

Bryce said he did not know if one of his players was under a police investigation due to the incident.

The father of one of the people in the video said his son was involved but he wouldn’t comment any further on it.

The University said it had questioned student-athletes in regards to the incident.

Since the incident happened on campus, if there is discipline from the University it would be due to non-academic misconduct.

If the investigation reveals action needs to be taken, the penalties would be decided at a later date and can range from a letter on the student’s file to expulsion depending on the severity of the incident.

Gandire will appear in court on Nov. 29.