Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna is no longer facing the most serious charge stemming from an altercation in downtown State College on Saturday.
After a review of video evidence, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna is withdrawing the charge of felony aggravated assault against the 18-year-old forward from Yukon, Canada, he said at a press conference Friday in Bellefonte.
“A review of the video does not support a conclusion that Gavin McKenna acted with the intent to cause serious bodily injury or with reckless indifference to the value of human life,” Cantorna said, explaining that the evidence did not meet the threshold for an aggravated assault charge.
McKenna still faces a misdemeanor charge of simple assault, as well as summary offenses of disorderly conduct and harassment. Cantorna said his office only reviewed the charging documents after they were filed.
“We did not see this before it was filed,” he said.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed on Wednesday, State College police responded on Saturday night to Mount Nittany Medical Center, where a 21-year-old man was hospitalized with a broken jaw after an alleged assault on the 100 block of South Pugh Street.
The man’s jaw was broken on one side, not two, and he did not lose any teeth, as initially reported by police, Cantorna said. He had surgery on Monday and will have his jaw wired shut for about two weeks, according to police.
Witnesses said that McKenna punched the man twice in the face “following an exchange of words” between McKenna’s group and the man’s group. The complaint did not elaborate on what words were exchanged.
Cantorna declined to discuss specifics of the exchange.
“Generally speaking, I can say a verbal argument never is justification for physical violence against another human being, let alone physical violence that results in a fractured jaw and surgery,” he said.
A review of street camera footage, which Cantorna said does not record audio, showed the altercation occurring outside the Pugh Street Parking Garage at about 8:45 p.m. McKenna had been attending an event with they hockey team and their families and friends at Doggie’s Pub, 108 S. Pugh St., prior to the incident following the Nittany Lions’ outdoor game at Beaver Stadium earlier in the day.
Cantorna said the man McKenna is accused of punching is not facing any charges.
“There’s nothing in this incident relating to the victim engaging in any criminal activity,” he said.
He also cautioned that he does not believe online speculation about the events that led to the altercation is “factually accurate,” and called it “unfair” to both McKenna and the man.
“I would ask the public to refrain from speculating on what did or did not happen and remind people that the fact that there is a verbal argument never, never justifies physical violence,” Cantorna said.
Asked whether McKenna had been consuming alcohol prior to the incident, Cantorna said he “can’t comment on that at this point in time.” No underage drinking charge has been filed against McKenna.
“I will leave the facts to a court of law where they remain and not engage in the speculation that has been ongoing incessantly since this broke,” Cantorna said. “I understand. I get it, But perhaps this information will put a small break to that and a return to some sanity.”
McKenna, who was released on $20,000 unsecured bail by District Judge Casey McClain following a preliminary arraignment on Wednesday, has a preliminary hearing on the misdemeanor and summary charges scheduled for Feb. 11.
Cantorna’s office has received no contact from immigration authorities about McKenna’s visa status, he said.
“I can say unequivocally no,” Cantorna said. “And I can say that these are allegations. It is not proof. There should be no reason for that to occur for anyone.”
A Penn State athletic department spokesperson declined to comment this week on an ongoing legal matter. No attorney is listed for McKenna in court records.
The Nittany Lion men’s hockey team has a bye this week and returns to action on Feb. 13 at Michigan.
The highest-rated recruit in Penn State hockey history, McKenna has widely been viewed as one of the top prospects for this year’s NHL Draft. He had a goal and two assists in Saturday’s loss to Michigan State and is 10th in the nation in points per game. Prior to his arrival at Penn State, he spent parts of the past three seasons with the the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, where in 2025 he became the third-youngest player named Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year, behind Sidney Crosby and John Tavares.
He is expected to play only one season at Penn State. The Nittany Lions’ next game is on Feb. 13 at Michigan.
