Ezekiel Elliott’s Assault Case Reaches Prosecutor’s Office

The investigation into claims that Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott assaulted a woman is now officially underway.

Citing “conflicting statements” from Elliott, the woman and witnesses, the Columbus Police Department referred the case to the Columbus City Attorney’s office which has begun gathering evidence as the alleged victim is pursuing criminal charges.

“At this time, there is an open investigation,” Director of the Prosecution Resources Unit, Robert Tobias said in an email to ESPN.com.

“We are attempting to gather as much evidence as possible.”

Tobias offered no timetable for the conclusion of the investigation.

Elliott is expected to be in attendance at Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, California when the preseason truly begins on Saturday.

The alleged incident occurred in the early morning hours of July 22, Elliott’s 21st birthday, when a woman reported to police that Elliott assaulted her in a parked car, near the rear of a parking lot, according to the police report.

“If there is anyway that I can have an officer out on scene,” the woman said in the 911 call, published last week by TMZ. “I was going to wait until tomorrow to report it, until he left. … He’s been doing it for the past five days.”

Elliot immediately denied the claims through two individuals he entrusted to make statements on his behalf.

Stacy Elliott, his father, released a statement on the incident via Adam Schefter of ESPN.

“The reported allegations and Internet postings regarding our son are completely false,” Stacy Elliott said. “Ezekiel has done nothing wrong. The police have investigated this matter and eyewitnesses have verified the lack of any wrongdoing. The actual evidence in this matter clearly indicates what the real motivation was behind the police being called. We are confident that when the truth comes to light it will reveal the falsity of these claims. Ezekiel has been fully cooperative with the police and will continue to do so—along with cooperating with the NFL—moving forward.”

The woman who launched the accusations of assault, posted pictures of bruises to her arms and wrists on her Instagram account, including a caption that called for women to exit abusive relationships.

One of the photos tagged Elliott’s account.

“Just for every women out there getting abused it’s time to put a stop to it,” she wrote on Instagram. “This has been happening to me for months and it finally got out of control to where I was picked up and thrown across the room by my arms. Thrown into walls. Being choked to where I have to gasp for breath. Bruised everywhere, mentally and physically abused. It’s not okay. So I want each and everyone one of you girls to step away now from domestic violence. You’re worth so much more. I got told it was called “tough love” I’m sorry if you love someone you don’t touch your loved ones.”

The alleged victim’s Instagram account has since been made private.

Former Cowboy and current NFL Network Analyst Michael Irvin spoke with Elliott after the news broke and shared the rookie running back’s version of the story with NFL Network Host Rich Eisen.

“Michael, I never got within four feet of her,” Irvin recounted Elliott saying. “He sounded pretty upset about the whole situation,” Irvin told Eisen.

Elliott was selected fourth overall by owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys at the 2016 NFL Draft, April 28. A bevy of NFL experts considered the pick a risk given the questionable durability of the running back position.

Should the charges stick, Elliott would face a six-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. As of now, Elliott has not been arrested or charged with any crime.

Dallas head coach Jason Garrett is trying to let the investigation play out before making any further comment.

“I don’t want to comment too much on that,” Garrett said Tuesday. “We believe we know all about Ezekiel Elliott and what he’s all about as a person, and I think it would be premature to make any comment beyond that.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: uSports does not identify victims of domestic violence.