Student suspended in shotgun incident

One of the two University students questioned by police in connection with the alleged harassment of two Jewish students at gunpoint early Friday morning has been placed on an involuntary leave of absence by the Vice Provost for University Life, University spokesperson Barbara Beck said last night. "There is a continuing investigation of the circumstances under way," she added. "Disciplinary action will be taken and additional action is pending, when the investigation is complete." University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said police are still engaged in the fact-finding process, adding that he does not know when they will be finished. While no charges have been filed in this case, a second man charged with racial intimidation in an earlier case of harassment turned himself in to Philadelphia Police yesterday, Sergeant Charles McMullin said. Victor Vencus was arrested for allegedly harassing two South Asian University students outside their Hamilton Court apartment complex early last Thursday morning. Unlike the other suspect in the case -- Drexel University student Gregory Rosenbaum -- Vencus is not affiliated with Drexel, Kuprevich said. Kuprevich added that he thought Vencus was charged with the same offenses Rosenbaum is alleged to have committed, including ethnic intimidation, harassment and disorderly conduct. College senior Bela Shah, who did not return phone calls from The Daily Pennsylvanian yesterday, earlier this said week she plans to file a complaint against Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives because of the way her case was handled. Kuprevich, however, said the Philadelphia Police Department -- and all of the detectives in the Southwest Division -- have been very responsive to concerns and issues raised by his officers and victims over the past few days. Kuprevich added that University Police officers attempt to quell disturbances involving students before making arrests, since students are also subject to the University's judicial system when they break the law.