Two Rutgers football players suspended after arrest involving paintball gun

Rutgers football defensive backs Malachi "Max" Melton and Chris Long have been suspended from the program after being charged with three counts of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose following an incident involving a paintball gun Monday night. 

"I was informed that Chris Long and Malachi Melton were taken into police custody early this morning as a result of an incident involving a paint ball gun," coach Greg Schiano said in a statement Tuesday morning. "Both players have been suspended immediately." 

Melton has been one of the most impactful players on the Scarlet Knights' defense and special teams, registering two interceptions and a blocked punt through three games. 

Long, a Willingboro native, has seen time on special teams in all three games this season. He played in two games last season.

Kenneth Cop, Rutgers University Police Department Chief,  released the following statement:

"On Monday, September 20, 2021, at approximately 10:00 PM, the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) responded to the area of Livingston Campus in the Township of Piscataway for the report of three student victims that were struck with paintballs discharged from a motor vehicle. The three victims sustained minor injuries and declined further medical attention on scene. An investigation completed by the RUPD resulted in the arrest of two male suspects on September 21, 2021.

Malachi M. Melton, a 19-year-old resident of Toms River, NJ, and Christopher M. Long, a 19-year-old resident of Willingboro, NJ, have been charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Both were released on their own recognizance with summonses to appear in Middlesex County Superior Court on November 4, 2021, at 8:45 AM."

Rutgers opens Big Ten play Saturday against Michigan in Ann Arbor. 

Staff writer Suzanne Russell contributed to this report.