UNC Tar Heels wrestler suspended from team, charged in felony assault of fellow student
University of North Carolina wrestler Jace Palmer turned himself in to Chapel Hill police late Wednesday afternoon to face assault charges after punching another student, records show.
Robbi Pickeral Evans, UNC senior associate athletic director, said in an email statement that Palmer has been suspended from the wrestling team.
"We are aware of the situation, we are cooperating with all relevant authorities and Jace Palmer has been suspended from the wrestling team," she said. "We expect all of our student-athletes to abide by all laws and serve as positive members of our campus community."
Palmer, 23, is accused of assaulting and seriously injuring a fellow undergraduate student, Kevin Andrew O'Brien, on Monday. He is charged with felony assault causing serious bodily injury. Palmer allegedly punched O'Brien during the incident, causing significant damage to two of O'Brien's teeth, according to an arrest warrant and incident report obtained by The News & Observer.
The alleged assault occurred Monday near the intersection of Purefoy Road and Howell Street in Chapel Hill.
Palmer, a Chapel Hill resident, was released on Wednesday after posting a $5,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 18 at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough.
Carrie O'Brien Kevin Andrew O'Brien's mother who is serving as his attorney, alleges the university had knowledge of Palmer's "propensity for violence" before the assault but allowed him to continue both as a student and athlete. Evans did not address that specific claim in the provided statement.
Attempts to reach Palmer for comment were unsuccessful.
If convicted, Palmer faces potential prison time for the felony assault charge. Under UNC's student conduct code, that could also affect his standing within the university.
Palmer is a redshirt junior from Casper, Wyoming. Last year, in his third season as a Tar Heel, he competed at 133 and 141 pounds, earning 13 wins and representing UNC at the 2024 ACC Championships.
