JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville police have launched a search for a former Jacksonville University student suspected in the on-campus baseball bat beating of another student.

The attack took place Wednesday afternoon on the fourth floor of Oak Hall. That's where authorities said Reginald Tribble used a bat to hit Jeremy Thornton -- a freshman quarterback for the school's football team.

"He was on his way back to his room from study hall. He had just got something to eat and he was about to walk into his room when the guy attacked him from behind," said the victim's friend Jared Fenton.

According to investigators, Tribble struck Thornton from behind, knocking him to the ground before continuing to beat him in the head with the bat.

Detectives said the victim and the suspect had been involved in an incident earlier in the day. Fenton told Channel 4 the incident had to do with a stolen iPod.

The report states that an officer searching for Tribble in another dorm room found drops of blood on the floor. The bat believed to have been used in the attack was recovered.

Two days after the beating, Tribble remained at large, and the Jacksonville University campus was on high alert as the search for the suspect continued.

JU officials told Channel 4 Tribble was expelled from the university on the morning of the attack.

The university has posted a picture of Tribble on its public safety Web site, alerting students and faculty about the attack and the at-large suspect. Notices about the attack have also been posted around the campus.

"We'll just pray for him and hope for the best," said Fenton.

Tribble is described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds. His hair is medium length and being worn in twists, according the school's site. The suspect was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and dark pants.

University officials have warned its students not to approach Tribble if they see him because they consider him to be dangerous.

Anyone who knows Tribble's whereabouts is asked to call JU's public safety division at 904-256-7585 or to call police.