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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Vanderbilt Athletics says wide receiver Kayleb Barnett is no longer with the football program after he was charged with aggravated assault by strangulation following a downtown Nashville confrontation.
“We are aware of the situation,” Vanderbilt Athletics said in a statement. “Kayleb Barnett violated team and university standards and is no longer with the program.”
According to an arrest affidavit, a Metro Nashville officer working outside of the Barstool Sports bar on Second Avenue saw Barnett holding another person in a chokehold near the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge early Saturday.
The affidavit says the victim fell to the ground, motionless and appearing unconscious, before regaining consciousness after Barnett was detained.
A witness told officers Barnett threw the first punch. Barnett told police that the other person threw first and that he held him down to stop the fight.
Officers determined Barnett was the predominant aggressor, according to the affidavit.
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