The Daily Times

KNOXVILLE — Vandalism charges against Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray won’t be filed in one case, but Bray remains a “person of interest” in a related vandalism incident at The Landings apartment complex in Knoxville.

“(The victim) called the investigator and said that she had been called by the suspect, Bray, and he had apologized and offered to pay for the damage,” Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk told The Daily Times Wednesday. “Because of that, she no longer sought to press charges on the suspect.

“He’s going to take care of the damages to her vehicle, according to what she told us.”

The victim asked that the prosecution be stopped in the first of two vandalism incidents at the apartment complex.

Bradi Hudson, 22, discovered Saturday morning that the windshield of her car had been cracked sometime after she parked it Friday night at the apartment complex. She also found a note attached to the vehicle that “indicated that (a witness) was aware of what happened to her vehicle and that she left contact information for the vehicle’s owner,” according to DeBusk.

Hudson was scheduled to get an estimate of the damage Wednesday morning, but instead called the investigating officer and asked to stop the prosecution after Bray offered to pay for the damages.

Damages of $500 or more is considered a felony charge, while damages less than $500 is a misdemeanor charge.

Kristie Allen, 21, who also lives at The Landings, left the note on Hudson’s car identifying Bray and his roommate, Michael Grandinetti, as being responsible for the vandalism.

“The witness identified two individuals who had been throwing beer bottles and golf balls off of a balcony at the apartment complex,” DeBusk said, “and that was what caused the damage to the vehicle.”

Investigation open

Two days later, around lunch time on Monday, Allen’s car was vandalized while she was inside her apartment. That investigation is still open, according to DeBusk, and Bray is a “person of interest.”

“We’re still investigating that incident,” DeBusk said. “Obviously, we believe there’s a pretty good chance there are some witnesses out there because the damages occurred during lunch time at the apartment complex.”

DeBusk said Allen felt she was a victim of the second vandalism act because she had left the note for Hudson, identifying Bray and his roommate as the ones responsible.

“(The victim) indicated that she thought the same two individuals were responsible for the damage to her vehicle because of retaliation for her calling 911 two nights earlier and the fact that both of those individuals, both of the suspects, were being evicted from the apartment based on what had happened two days prior.”

Tennessee associate athletic director for communications Jimmy Stanton said Bray had not been evicted from his apartment.

“He was not arrested or evicted,” Stanton told The Daily Times. “We have no further comment on the situation.”

Bray, Tennessee’s junior quarterback, threw for 1,983 yards, including 19 touchdowns and six interceptions, as a sophomore in seven games last season. He played in nine games as a freshman, throwing for 1,849 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Bray was one of three Tennessee players to represent the Vols at SEC Media Days last week in Hoover, Ala.

Grandinetti is a former manager on the Tennessee women’s basketball team.

DeBusk said the KPD is still seeking any information that can be provided on the open vandalism investigation.

“Obviously, if anyone has any information, we’re asking they please call our department.”