Naesean Howard

The violent, potentially deadly attack on two Syracuse football players last month was halted by a third player, according to a prosecutor in the case.

(Samantha House | shouse@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. — The violent, potentially deadly attack on two Syracuse football players last month was halted by a third player, according to a prosecutor in the case.

Naesean Howard had repeatedly stabbed Corey Winfield, according to police, and was attacking Chauncey Scissum, who had his arm in a sling and could not defend himself.

That's when the third player punched Howard in the face and knocked him to the ground, ending the unprovoked attack April 16 at an outdoor barbecue on South Campus and possibly saving Scissum's life, according to assistant district attorney Mike Manfredi.

"This individual did something that was very heroic given the dangerousness and volatility of the situation," Manfredi said. "Nobody was ready for this, and he was the only one who acted in a way to defend his fellow player."

Manfredi declined to provide the name of the player who punched Howard.

The player's intervention is a new detail in the incident and clarifies that a witness mistakenly ID'd Winfield as the player who intervened that day.

Manfredi said the third player did not sustain any injuries, and nobody else did after he hit Howard.

Howard fled from the scene after he was punched, the prosecutor said. When Howard was arrested that evening, he was compliant with police.

Howard was present at the cookout before the attack occurred, briefly left and returned dressed in different clothes, Manfredi said.

Then, as party-goers tossed a football, joked around and celebrated a friend's birthday in a relaxed atmosphere, Howard attacked his former teammates, the prosecutor said.

"He just inexplicably went up to Mr. Winfield and attacked him and then turned around and then immediately attacked Mr. Scissum, who was sitting very close nearby," he said.

Scissum was critically injured in the stabbing, wounded in the right side of his neck, right upper chest, left shoulder and bottom lip, police said.

Winfield was stabbed in the right lower back, upper right chest, left abdomen and left wrist, police said.

Both players are recovering and are expected to participate in fall camp in August.

Howard, 20, was charged with first-degree assault, which carries a possible sentence of up to 25 years in prison, if he's convicted. He has plead not guilty.

A City Court judge has previously ordered a mental health exam for Howard to determine if he was competent to stand trial.

His next court appearance is scheduled for June 24.

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