Beauregard Returns to Practice : Football: CSUN officials might rule today on status of lineman who is accused in shootings.

Cal State Northridge lineman Jonathan Beauregard, accused by police of two counts of attempted murder, was back at practice Tuesday, but school officials have scheduled a meeting today that could decide his long-term fate with the program.

Beauregard, 22, was arrested Aug. 29 on suspicion of shooting his former girlfriend and her male acquaintance in San Bernardino, his hometown. He hid news of the arrest from his coaches and teammates for more than a month.

Beauregard, a senior and two-year starter, was given permission to miss practice Monday to tend to personal matters, but practiced with the team Tuesday.

Northridge is still conducting an administrative review of the matter, a school spokesman said Tuesday. Judy Brame, associate athletic director, said Tuesday that she could not confirm whether school representatives had made contact with police.

Northridge Coach Bob Burt said he is awaiting direction from school administrators. “It’s kind of a limbo thing,” Burt said. “Until they finish this review, he’s free to practice if it doesn’t cause problems with him and the team.”

Today’s meeting regarding Beauregard’s status is expected to include Athletic Director Bob Hiegert, Burt and Ron Kopita, dean of students. Hiegert was in South Carolina on Monday and Tuesday, attending an NCAA meeting.

Beauregard is scheduled to be arraigned in San Bernardino on Oct. 19.

Asked Tuesday if he was pleased to be back with the team, Beauregard said: “Yeah, I am. But I really don’t feel like talking right now.”

Technically, Beauregard has violated no team rules, Burt said. According to the team handbook, players charged in criminal matters are assumed innocent until proved otherwise. Violations of team rules, though, are dealt with swiftly. For instance, linebacker Billy Dykes was suspended for Saturday night’s game against Cal State Chico because he missed practice.

“(Beauregard) hasn’t pleaded guilty and hasn’t even been to court,” Burt said. “This is the way I have to deal with it.”

At some schools, similar matters are often dealt with expediently. A spokesman at UCLA said player suspensions in criminal matters are handled after consultation between the athletic director and coach.

UCLA safety Tommy Bennett was sentenced Monday for his involvement on one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of filing a false financial statement. He has been suspended from the team since his arrest in March, said Marc Dellins, a school spokesman.

Northridge officials were first tipped to Beauregard’s arrest Friday night. He started in Saturday night’s 47-17 victory over Chico.

Asked whether Beauregard would play against Sonoma State on Saturday if the school fails to take action, Burt said: “How about if we deal with that (today)?”

Beauregard, who attended practice on the day he was arrested, has started all four games for the Matadors.

He is charged with twice shooting Von E. Thompson, 26, of Rialto. Then he allegedly shot his former girlfriend, Dunyella Darshell Smith, 21, in the hip as she tried to flee.

Thompson, who was struck in the arm and chest, was wearing a bullet-proof vest. Police said the pair was sitting in Thompson’s truck, parked outside a bar, when the incident occurred.

Court documents allege that Beauregard twice assaulted Smith in the past, but did not describe either incident.