Pitt basketball player facing assault charges, suspended from team

PITTSBURGH — A University of Pittsburgh basketball player is facing aggravated assault charges after an incident at an apartment building near the university’s campus, court documents say.

According to Pittsburgh police, Dior Johnson, 18, slapped, punched and pushed a woman’s face into a bed.

Police were called to the apartment building in early September.

Court documents say Johnson became angry with a woman who had gotten his phone wet and slapped her “full force” across the face.

The victim told police Johnson left her apartment after slapping her but returned later in the night. The two began to argue and court documents say it escalated to the point where Johnson allegedly began punching the victim in her arms, stomach and head multiple times.

The victim told police she called 911, but Johnson chased her with scissors, took the phone and hung it up. Court documents say Johnson then took the woman’s head and shoved it into the bed, making it hard for her to breathe.

She said Johnson used the scissors to cut himself and said, “I’ll make them think you did this.”

Court documents say Johnson attempted to call off from basketball practice because he did not want to leave the victim alone for fear she would leave the apartment and call 911.

“It should be noted that Johnson is a basketball player on the University of Pittsburgh basketball team,” court documents said.

The victim allegedly waited until Johnson left and sent emails to detectives.

Pitt Athletics said that Johnson has been indefinitely suspended from all team activities. The athletic department declined further comment until the legal process has reached a resolution.

One Pitt student told Channel 11 these allegations, plus the recent sexual assaults on campus, are deeply disturbing.

“It’s scary. Really scary, especially with other incidents that have been happening around campus, obviously — the Cathedral of Learning,” said Lily Robertson, a senior. “There needs to be a change in the school, not only in the school but the athletic department too, it sounds like.”

Police are investigating three sexual assaults that have taken place in or near campus in the last month.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

Police accuse man of pouring boiling water down baby’s throat The suspect was previously charged with shooting at the child's mother and was out of jail on bond. (NCD)

©2022 Cox Media Group