Police say Iowa City High student attacked classmate with hockey stick

An Iowa City High student was arrested Tuesday after assaulting a classmate in gym class and then fleeing school Monday afternoon.

According to Iowa City police, just after 1 p.m. Monday Caleb M. J. Busch, 18, was playing floor hockey in the gymnasium at City High School, 1900  Morningside Dr., when he used his hockey stick as a weapon against others, injuring one victim.

Police said Busch reportedly became aggressive with his hockey stick, striking others inappropriately. He became upset with one of the students during the game, and challenged him to a fight. But when he declined, Busch violently swung the hockey stick, striking the teen on his body and face three times, police said.

Busch then dropped the stick and charged his classmate, punching him in the face and knocking him to the floor, they added, noting the victim suffered from heavy bruising to his face and eye.

The 18-year-old then fled from the scene, leaving the school entirely. He was picked up on a warrant just before 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Busch is charged with assault using a weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison. He is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond, authorities said.