NJ police officer indicted in assault of BC hockey player

BOSTON, Mass. — A Suffolk County grand jury has indicted a New Jersey police officer and another man in an unprovoked attack that seriously injured a Boston College hockey player.

Daniel Hunt, 27, of Barrington, New Jersey is charged with assault and battery. Hunt is a police officer with the Haddon Heights, New Jersey Police Department. He was off-duty at the time of the attack.

Ian Salerno, 29, of Philadelphia, is charged with aggravated assault and battery.

Prosecutors say Hunt and Salerno were with a group of men who were visiting Boston. During the early morning hours of January 19th, they went to the Domino's on 1260 Boylston Street, near Fenway Park.

The victim, Kevin Lohan, was also at the pizza shop with his girlfriend and a friend.

Surveillance video shows the group of men walk into and say something to Lohan and his girlfriend, who were standing in line.

They exchanged words and minutes later, prosecutors say Hunt pushed, punched and then tackled Lohan to the ground.

Salerno then allegedly came up behind Lohan and punched him in the jaw, knocking him to the floor.

The scuffle continued with a bloodied Lohan trying to stop the men from leaving before police arrived.

Lohan was rushed to Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His jaw had to be wired shut for three weeks and permanent metal plates were implanted in his jaw and cheek.

Boston Police obtained security camera footage and a receipt from the nearby bar where Hunt, Salerno and others had been drinking before the attack, pictures from social media, witness statements and other evidence to identify Hunt and Salerno.

Lohan returned to the ice after weeks of rehab. He finished the season with two goals, six assists and 10 penalty minutes with an impressive plus 14 in 22 games for the Eagles

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound defenseman transferred to Boston College after four years at Michigan, where he was an assistant captain his senior year.

In March, he signed with the Toledo Walleye.

Lohan is the cousin of actress Lindsay Lohan.

Hunt and Salerno are due in Suffolk Superior Court on August 1st for their arraignment.

Haddon Heights, New Jersey Police Chief Mike Scardino told Boston 25 News, "I am aware of the indictment; however, I cannot discuss the issue due to being a personnel matter related to an Internal Affairs Investigation."

Cox Media Group