Basketball Player Beaten

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Basketball Player Beaten

Ike Muoneke

By KSFY News

Story Created: Apr 14, 2008 at 4:02 PM CST

Story Updated: Apr 15, 2008 at 7:55 AM CST

A Dakota Wesleyan Basketball player was beaten over the weekend.  Police say Ike Muoneke was attacked outside of the Comfort Inn in Mitchell.  He is originally from Houston, Texas and is a junior at Dakota Wesleyan.  Muoneke was treated and released from the hospital and is now back in Houston.

The Davison County State's Attorney says 49-year-old Gary Bussmus and 21-year-old Kyle Bussmus are charged with simple assault.  Stay with KSFY News and KSFY.com for further details.

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Saturday, Jun 21 at 11:49 PM Team Bussmus wrote ...

Everyone who continues to say that this is a hate crime is ridiculus and is acted just as much a racists or than the people involved in this fight. Most of us have a been to a bar before and 9 out of 10 times there is usually a fight, just because this fight happened to be between people of two different colors does not mean that it happened just because of race. Remember that there are 2 sides to every story and that you all are being very judgemental and unfair.

Monday, Apr 21 at 12:03 PM Mitchell wrote ...

I hope and pray that Ike comes back to DWU next year. Please don't let the acts of one messed up family change your plans for your future. You have so many people behind you. I pray you have the strength to overcome this terrible act and move on to a bright future at DWU. Don't let evil win!!!

Friday, Apr 18 at 3:49 PM Father Muoneke wrote ...

I thank God Ike survived the beating! Ike is not pugnacious, and I hope he will never have to fight; bullied once by a big student in high school, and now by the Bussmus family, but never in a fight! I thank the good people of Mitchell and DWU students who saved his life, and all those who sympathise. Ike loves the people of Mitchell, SD very much, especially his team-mates and his professors.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 9:29 PM 50 year old father wrote ...

This is not the first time for Mr. Bussmus, 49 years old and really setting a good example for his children. He has been in trouble before, why pick on people who are young enough to be your child, black or white he should have been home in bed-not out looking like a fool.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 7:46 PM Anonymous wrote ...

ike is my big cousin. he didnt deserve this at all! no one deserves this! and this gary bussmus is sick. becuse who in the right mind would even dare try even touchin and 20 year old knowing that they are 49??

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 5:18 PM Harold Reese wrote ...

I attended DWU I am crushed to think that such an incident would occur like this in the city of Mitchell. I hope that the "law" is actively seeking those involved!!!

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 3:45 PM no name wrote ...

they are out and still saying niggers are going to pay so being a black man is it safe to go out

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 8:05 AM anonymos wrote ...

Shame on the media for making this something it is not.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 7:11 AM Anonymous wrote ...

A 49 year old man has to beat on a young basketball player. He must be very proud of himself. Everyone drinking or not, at what point do you have enough brains to know right from wrong.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 7:10 AM james grosz wrote ...

their are two sides to every story but people always take the black peoples side why don't u pay attention to what is happening to this country where the blacks and the mexicans have more rights then the working class

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 6:55 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Being a basket ball player dont give him the right to be drunk underage in a bar.From what I heard he fell over a trash can and hit Bussmuss,the popped off to him ...He probably dont remember what happened as drunk as he was.Im suprised others were not charged,from the looks of it,the Bussmusses were worked over as well,who REALLY started it?

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 6:52 AM Anonymous wrote ...

This was a bar fight not a Hate crime, if you dont want to fight dont go starting them then running half way around the country. I feel for his family because they dont know what happened they just know what there son is telling them and from what I heard he was so intoxicated how could he remember. I think it is terrible that his family is making it out to be a Hate crime, shame on them and shame on the media for feeding this lie.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 6:48 AM life long mitchell resident wrote ...

This wasa no hate crime this was a 20 year old who was breaking the law the minute he steped in to that bar, many people that night said he kept throwing his hands in the air toward the Bussmus' table and Ike and his friends started the whole thing that is why the cops are not charging it as a hate crime. I think there is a lot more to the story thaat IKE isnt telling his family. I would also like to say shame on the media for making this out to be something it is not

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 11:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

IKE IS A BASKETBALL PLAYER AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN NOT IGNORE THE RACIAL CRIMES THAT OCCUR TO MINORITIES IN MITCHELL!

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 10:12 PM 20 year resident wrote ...

Wow, is all I can say for the city police department in mitchell. It's a sad day when your local justice of the peace look the other way on such a terrible crime committed by local thugs, whom by the way have been convicted of this one other time.

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 2:11 PM Ike is a nice guy wrote ...

I am from mitchell and I know the busmus family is very rascist the older son was at my home one night and wouldn't stop sayin the N word and I kicked him out he pushed me to the ground and I went to the emergency room for a broken wrist! The Bussmus family needs to wake up this is not the civil war! I believe this is 100% a HATE CRIME!

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 2:10 PM cant say wrote ...

hate crime my foot, i was there too ike was not drunk he had been drinkin like an idiot but far from drunk, i've seen that guy drunk and even then i;ve never seen him pick a fight with anybody let alone a 49 year old men and his four sons i've been tryin to call ike, but apparently he's in texas and wants to come back and his family won't let him cause they dont know how it is out here and fear for his saftey i really am anry this happened

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 1:29 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Simple assault YA RIGHT!!!

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 1:19 PM some one who knows wrote ...

i spoke with ike and he said he is sorry it had to get this big he wishes that he didn't have the spot light on him, he thinks its his fault, and wants everybody to know mitchell is a great place for anybody to go along with dakota weselayn university

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 12:48 PM QUESTIONING wrote ...

I'm upset about KSFY's report. They made it out to be a hate crime, stating that there were racial slurs involved. At the end of the newscast they BRIEFLY mentioned that there were actually 2 other victims but gave no other mention of them?! I am by no means downplaying what happened to Ike and I'm sure the racial comments were in fact made; which is appalling to me. But were the other victims black? Why not mention them? Why focus the story on race~which I think only causes more tension.

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 9:26 AM NC wrote ...

Just because the man who got beat up was african american this was a hate crime. If the man who was beaten was white it wouldn't of been considered a hate crime. He did get jacked up though and i dont think just because hes black it is a hate crime.

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 8:01 AM ? wrote ...

I was following this online last night and today all the comments are gone. What gives?

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 7:46 AM sioux falls wrote ...

IGNORANT PEOPLE!!! There is two people that give South Dakota a bad name. I feel sick after hearing this.

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 1:47 AM DWU wrote ...

First how could you say he could of fell in the bathroom you must been on the other peoples side. This puts a bad reputation on South Dakota and it could really cause a problem with some of the other african americans in this area. They should go to jail for a long time for doing something like this, and if justice is not done for this it might cause more of a problem.

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 1:03 AM mitch wrote ...

its sad to hear people act like this at the age of 49. grow up gary. about a year ago he got in trouble for assaulting some young guys with a baseball bat. you're not much of an example for your kids or anyone else. i feel sorry for the rest of your family and for ike and his family. we should be able to live in peace and harmony and not have to worry about senseless altercations like this.

Monday, Apr 14 at 11:33 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I'm so sure falling in the bathroom would have done that to his face. Wake up! Some people are ignorant and racism does still exist, and this is proof right here. Witnesses heard those guys yelling at the cops, "Are you gonna help that N*" when the cops were breaking up the fight! Does that tell you anything?? And so what if he went home? I wouldn't want to stay here at the moment either with that going on! Makes South Dakota look real good...

Monday, Apr 14 at 11:31 PM mitchell wrote ...

This is an unfortunate incident. Not only the crime, but if racial discrimination was involved. Do these men have any history of any suspected violence? Crimes happen,but maybe this will encourage the Mitchell community to become more involved in trying to make the town a safer place.

Monday, Apr 14 at 10:24 PM Anonymous wrote ...

my god they should get 20years in jail it was not right what they did i stay in mitchell and as a black male if i did what the bussmus did i would be under the jail

Monday, Apr 14 at 10:21 PM proud texan wrote ...

ill tell you what.. this might be an eyeopener for some but i see hate happen ever so often here.. ESPECALLY to other ethnicities.. honestly its ridiculous!!!! i pray for people

Monday, Apr 14 at 10:19 PM Tone wrote ...

Yeah theres a reason he got whooped...

Monday, Apr 14 at 10:16 PM DWU wrote ...

I was at Blarneys that night..and the Bussmus' were calling Ike the N word ...i think people need to realize that it doesn't matter what color you are..you are still a person..and should be treated like that..pretty sad.

Monday, Apr 14 at 10:01 PM hereford wrote ...

also the young man was only 20.....underage drinking

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:56 PM angry woman wrote ...

now that is BS! I know Ike and he is such a nice guy! He wouldnt hurt a fly. These men were out hunting for a black man and used Ike to demonstrate their hatred. This is a HATE CRIME! and these men need to serve time in Prison!!!!!!

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:52 PM Anonymous wrote ...

there is no way that anybody could have fallen in a bathroom and gotten hurt this bad. this was a flat out racist crime and the people that did it should be punished severely

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:51 PM travisgk2001 wrote ...

i hate it when people jump to conclusions when all the facts are not all in we only head one side and it wasnt ikes or Gary and Kyle's it was the media. So please wait till all the facts are in to crusify someone, How would you like it if it was someone in your family on either end of this, I dont think it would be nice either way! I just dont see the bussmus's doing this without being prevocted or for some other reason.

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:36 PM Fellow college student wrote ...

Yes, it a sad thing to happen but at the same time fights do happen here in South Dakota as well as other parts of the world, It's not like this is a first time thing. I don't agree with people being racist but as far as them saying "N-lover" In a fight you're going to say hurtful things to make your point espcially when there is alcohol involved. The Bussmus's shouldn't be made the poster child against racism because of a bad choice of judgement.

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:35 PM No Name wrote ...

Maybe the history of the Bussmuss Figths need to be brought out

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:32 PM DWU wrote ...

I was there too, and Ike was not that drunk to fall and do this to himself. This family has been in a similar situation with other DWU players that were black. I don't think its a coincidence. Grow up.

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:30 PM CB wrote ...

Let's hope that the judicial system in Mitchell finally does the right thing by really prosecuting someone that would do this to some other human being to the fullest.

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:27 PM hmmm wrote ...

lets not jump to conlusions and let the legal system takes its course

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:20 PM mitchell wrote ...

I'm sure the judge will ask him when he returns to mitchell to press charges against these people for this horrible assualt

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:16 PM Sad wrote ...

Hope your well Ike. We'll keep you in our prayers...

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:15 PM 22 year resident wrote ...

I know for a fact that there are other people in Mitchell along with the busmuss family that are very prejiduce as well towards anybody that's not white

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:15 PM sioux falls wrote ...

after seeing that on the 10 oclock news.. I dont think a man should ever be beaten that bad for their skin color..

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:11 PM anonymous wrote ...

I think this is an awful thing that happened. I can't believe it happened right here in Mitchell. Oh wait, I can with the Bussmus's living right around the corner. It is about time they get what is coming to them. This isn't the first time they have done something like this.

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:11 PM travisgk2001 wrote ...

why dont we wait till we get both sides of the story. I just cant see them doing this theres more to the story than is being reported. It was a bar fight.Just because one that was hurt in the fight does not mean it is a hate crime. Let the cops do there job and the truth will come out. Dont condem someone till you know all the facts.

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:10 PM Dee wrote ...

I smell hate crime and i hope it gets treated that way. Its 2008 if people are still not ok with African Americans its sad and they need to get their heads checked.

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:03 PM Student(mitchell) wrote ...

I am a member of Student Council....and can say Bussmus should be punished....and why would they ever do this?? I mean jeez I thought that Mitchell of all places wouldn't let this happen.

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:00 PM secret wrote ...

how rediculous. if it was a one on one fight i could see that but when when 2 guys have to jump him and the other guy is drunk is pretty sad.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:51 PM Mitchell wrote ...

People like Bussmus give this state a bad reputation. Our apologies to Ike and his family, we're not all racists and we've enjoyed having Ike in our community. Team Bussmus should be ashamed.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:48 PM Appalled Citizen of Mitchell wrote ...

Absolutely outrageous how close-minded people will act; no one, no matter if they provoked an attack (which an attack was not provoked) does not deserve this type of treatment. People need to learn how to live like civilized adults, especially at that age!

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:41 PM mitchell2 wrote ...

The report from KSFY sounds pretty one-sided. There is a reason behind everything...

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Let's put the blame where it belongs. Not Blarney's, not a drunk college kid, not the Comfort Inn, not the parking lot. The blame lies on those who think they are greater than our laws and our God - Bussmus's.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...

stay stong ike! its horrible that some people just havnt grown up yet. ohh and to Bussmus, i hope your daughter marries a black guy...im glad to see he at least had his fellow teammates (im guessing it was them anyway) there to help him out. hang in there and come back and kick butt at the palace next year!

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

To Team Bussmuss... why wouldn't Ike be in Houston? I know I sure wouldn't stay in Mitchell after getting my faced kicked in. It's a bar, people have a right to drink, not to get assaulted.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:20 PM Bartender!! wrote ...

I was bartending this night and EVERYONE was drunk and there were absolutely no problems until everyone was outside by the comfort inn under the H2O slide. The two parties were at opposite ends of the bar almost the whole night. Words were going around the bussmuss family are and have been violent drunks. Not to long ago the father had taken a bat and beat someone at a bar in letcher, SD! This is not a first for this family. As for Ike i hope he doing alright and I am sorry this had to happen.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:17 PM concerned in sd wrote ...

First I don't care if he was drunk that is know excuse for what was done. Sounds to me that there are some stupid ignorant people out there. At 49 years of age GROW up. I'm glad to hear that there people there that to help Ike. And if he was my son I would probably have taken him home after something like that happened too. Too bad the Bussmus's are giving sd a bad name. I always considered sd as having decent people. Hope you come back loved watching you play basketball.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:12 PM A Parent wrote ...

I know Ike, and he is a all around good guy who didn't deserve this. I hope the ones charged with assult get what they have coming to them. This is pathletic and something that I never thought I would see around Mitchell, people need to stop leaving in the old'n days. Grow up... Ike, we are behind you.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

There is no way that falling in the bathroom could cause this. Anyone who personally knows Ike would tell you there is no way Ike provoked this attack!!!

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:06 PM South Dakota wrote ...

I don't understand why you would jump a guy when there are 15-20 witnesses present.. That is pure stupidity.. And how do you consider Ike started the fight when 3 guys attack somebody.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:05 PM Mitchell wrote ...

Well this is not the first time the Bussmus's have done this! Wow....you just wonder why people can treat others like this.....i think justice needs to be served and they need to wake up....they are not all that wonderful like everyone thinks they are!

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:58 PM Mitchell wrote ...

How do you think Blarney's could have prevented this. Bekive me they would have if they could have

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:45 PM team Ike wrote ...

i think the busmuss family needs to take a step off their high horse and realize they really done themselves in this time. Grow up and act your age gary. losers

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:36 PM Team Muoneke wrote ...

This is ridiculous. I know Ike from basketball and hes not the kind of guy who would be walking around a bar looking for a fight. I don't understand how people could do something like this. Complete idiots is all I have to say about the Bussmus's.

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:30 PM twosides wrote ...

Underage DRINKING AT BLARNEYS . WILL THEY GET A TICKET IT HAPPENS ALLTHE TIME THERE.

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:30 PM hereford wrote ...

I know he is not a racist...he has angus cattle

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:16 PM Love not war wrote ...

Mitchell what a careless choice of words to assume he fell on his face after a brutal beatnig by 3 men. Ignorance must be bliss.

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:12 PM DBL wrote ...

What goes around comes around. The Bussmuss's are about to pay through the nose. Hope they've saved up for a rainy day those morons.

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:09 PM friends... wrote ...

No matter what anybody says...nobody deserves to be beaten because of their skin color. How wrong is that!!! Ike is a great kid and definately did not deserve this. We really have a hard time believing this kind of thing happens...wow, pretty unbelievable. Hope Ike is doing ok...he's in our thoughts and prayers! Hope Bussmuss' get prosecuted to the fullest!

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:04 PM hifi wrote ...

how do you know it was a hate crime

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:01 PM MItchell born wrote ...

Maybe this star basketball players should be practicing or resting insted of getting into fights at the local bar. Just because you are a basketball player doesnt give you the right to go to the bar start fights then claim it was a hate crime.

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:01 PM Anonymous wrote ...

how many men were beatimg Ike? This cannot be treated as a drunken brawl when the "N" word was being used and is the reason for the beating.

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:54 PM Hate crime my foot. wrote ...

Aint that something we can just take anything and make it a hate crime. I bet MR star basketball player will think before he goes and starts a fight with a 49 year old farm boy from MItchell.

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:48 PM MItchell wrote ...

I was at the bar that night and IKe was so wasted he could have fell in the bathroom and that could have happened

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:45 PM Team Bussmus wrote ...

JUst remember there are two sides to every story, you should ask IKE who started the fight, but wait we can't he is in Texas.

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:36 PM students parent wrote ...

I thought Blarney's would have prevented this. This is a sad day for Mitchell,S.D. I hope Bussmus gets his Do!!!

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:30 PM Lana (Ellwein) Briggs wrote ...

To me this looks like a case of a cocky DWU athlete running his mouth. This is no HATE CRIME! I have lived in Mitchell my whole life and have seen DWU "star athletes" start fights in bars, sell drugs right from the college and we are suposed to welcome them with open arms in to our community. The Bussmus family are very hardworking respectable people in our community. I for one am glad that they stuck up for themselves, and didnt let another one of our DWU star athletes, go treating us like crap

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:24 PM Haters wrote ...

This is terrible to think someone would commit an act of this nature. These guys need to realize we are not living pre civil war. The Bussmuss's need to wake up.

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:17 PM Iowa wrote ...

This is a very sad story....things like this should never happen...these people need to take a real long look at their lives....

Monday, Apr 14 at 5:55 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Were the other men arrested charged? This was a HATE CRIME! Is it being treated as such? When you have young men trying to rescue Ike from the beating screamed at that they were N-lovers,it is a hate crime right here in South Dakota. It is so horrible and so sad that people are so ignorant in 2008.

Monday, Apr 14 at 5:48 PM mitchell wrote ...

who thinks they have the right to do that to somebody!!? Especially Ike..

Monday, Apr 14 at 5:39 PM D wrote ...

His name is Bussmus. Pretty sad story..

Monday, Apr 14 at 4:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...

s

Monday, Apr 14 at 4:32 PM jim wrote ...

busmuss was charged with aggravated assault 1 1/2 years ago when he broke into a house at 3 am and beat individuals with a baseball bat in letcher s.d. charges were reduced to simple assault then too and he plead guilty.

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