US News

Ex-Florida college football player accused of kidnapping, beating man

A Florida college student has been accused of kidnapping a man, beating him and leaving him at a dog park not far from campus.

Evan Kulyk, a former offensive lineman for Florida Institute of Technology, was arrested Monday on charges of battery and kidnapping, news station WKMG reported.

On Nov. 1, the 21-year-old student allegedly pulled up in a black SUV as the victim was exiting his dorm and forced him into the back seat of the ride.

While in the vehicle, Kulyk accused the man of drugging one of his friends.

“What did you do to (my friend) last night? Why did you drug her?” he asked him, according to the report.

The victim denied drugging the woman, to which Kulyk allegedly responded, “Once we hit the road, you are dead.”

Another former member of the football team who was in the car allegedly brandished a gun and warned the victim, “We are not kidding.”

Kulyk then signaled something to the other football player and someone in the front passenger seat — and the three of them began pummeling the man, authorities said.

After the beating, they left him at a dog park about a mile from campus, the outlet reported.

He then walked to the dorm of the woman who had supposedly accused him of drugging her, WKMG reported.

She wasn’t home, but one of her roommates took photos of the victim’s bruises, authorities said.

When interviewed by authorities, the woman said she told Kulyk that she believed she had been drugged, but never accused the victim of being responsible, WKMG reported.

No charges have been filed against the other passengers in the car.

Kulyk was listed as a player on the college’s football team before it discontinued the program, WKMG reported.

The university said it’s aware of his recent arrest and is cooperating with authorities.

“Florida Tech is closely monitoring the situation involving Evan Kulyk, a current student and former football player,” the college said.

“This follows weeks of investigative collaboration between the university and the Melbourne Police Department. Determinations regarding student disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, await the outcome of the criminal adjudication.”