Nevada player in fatal fight off the team

RENO -- A Nevada basketball player who was beaten unconscious and robbed at a Halloween party where three people were shot to death has been kicked off the team because he had been told not to go out that night, Wolf Pack coach Mark Fox said Tuesday night.

Tyrone Hanson, a 6-foot-6 sophomore forward from New York, was severely beaten early Sunday at a Reno home where a fight erupted, resulting in in the triple homicide, police said. He was treated and released from a Reno hospital.

Fox said Hanson already had been held out of a scrimmage on Saturday for violating team rules.

"He again violated our policy by going out socially that evening while he had been directed not to," Fox said.

"Tyrone and other student-athletes in attendance did not break the law, but Tyrone understands the high standard of behavior that is expected in our program," he said.

Hanson said in a statement released by the university Tuesday night that he understood the decision and wanted to extend his sympathies to the three victims.

"I have enjoyed my time here at Nevada and I am sad to see it come to an end. I want to thank Coach Fox for helping me understand what it means to be a man," he said.

A brother of Nevada senior offensive lineman Charles Manu is one of two suspects who have been charged in connection with the case.

Nevada football coach Chris Ault confirmed earlier that some of his football players attended the party but that he did not expect any of them would face disciplinary action.

Nevada athletic director Cary Groth said Tuesday night she supported Fox's decision. She said it was up to individual coaches to set policies for their teams.

The fatal shootings at a home rented by university students were prompted by a party crasher who bumped into Hanson while dancing and later beat him and stole his wallet, Reno police said.

Last season Hanson played in 30 games, all off the bench for Nevada, averaging 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game. He is one of nine returning letter-winners on the team. Hanson graduated from St. Mary's High in Manhasset, N.Y., and then attended Bridgton Academy of North Bridgton, Maine.

Saili Manu and Samisone Taukitoku, both 19 of Reno, were arrested on suspicion of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a firearm. Their bail was set at $500,000 each.

Police said they may also be charged with the deaths of Derek Jensen, 23, Reno, a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno; former UNR student Nathan Viljoen, 23, Fallon; and Charles Kelly, 21, Truckee, Calif.

Detectives also are looking for a "person of interest" who left the scene separately.

Saili Manu, an all-state defensive tackle at Reno McQueen High School in 2005, wore his brother's Nevada football jersey to the party, police said.