CoM Student Expelled in Domestic Violence Incident

Police arrested a College of Marin student after an argument between students turned violent in a campus parking lot on the morning of Nov. 15.

According to CoM Police Officer Dustin Ruiz, the victim reported that between 11 and 11:30 a.m. in Parking Lot 13, her boyfriend, 19, trapped her against a parked car and demanded that she hug and kiss him before he would allow her to leave.

The victim, 18, and also a student at COM, reported that as she attempted to get past her boyfriend to call for help, her phone was knocked out of her hand, and a struggle ensued during which he struck her.

According to COM Police, the victim suffered “minor injuries” to her back.

The suspect gave a statement to police later that day, which led to his arrest for domestic battery and preventing a victim from calling 911.

“Marin county is generally pro-arrest whenever any form of touch is involved in domestic violence incidents," said Officer Ruiz. “Jail serves to ensure physical separation.”

The suspect was expelled from College of Marin, and the victim was connected with the Center for Domestic Peace, a Marin-based organization dedicated to reducing domestic violence in the community via education and other services.