Atlanta Hawks Pero Antic And Thabo Sefolosha Arrested !?!
Following Chris Copeland & his girlfriends stabbing outside of 1Oak in New York, 2 Atlanta Hawks Pero Antic And Thabo Sefolosha Arrested on Obstruction And Disorderly Conduct.
At first, New York Police Department Det. Kelly Ort initially told CNN the incident occurred just before 4 a.m. at 1OAK, a club in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood known to draw celebrities among its clientele, the club later told CNN that the stabbing occurred in front of the Fulton Houses project down the street.
“1OAK staff was unaware of the incident when it happened, as it occurred beyond their view in a different location. However, 1OAK’s team assisted Mr. Copeland to their fullest capabilities, and called for help as soon as he was seen walking back towards the venue.”
The statement continued:
“A review of the video footage seems to reveal the incident did not originate from the venue or its immediate surroundings that are under 1OAK supervision.”
The spokesperson said:
“Copeland and Saltara tried to make their way back to the club to seek help from the 20 or so security personnel on hand, leaving a “bloody trail of handprints” between the site of the stabbing and the club, the spokesperson said. Copeland “almost landed right next to the club.”
Now, CelebNMusic247.com has this report via CNN that following Copeland and Saltara stabbing in front of Fulton Houses, according to the club’s statement:
“Mr. Copeland’s driver sprang to accost and detain the apparent perpetrator and that individual is now in police custody.”
As for, The 2 Atlanta Hawks, who were arrested, were NOT involved in the stabbing incident, police said, but were arrested on obstruction and other charges later. Pero Antic And Thabo Sefolosha has just finished a home game hours before the incident.
Word of the stabbing quickly spread through the club, reaching Antic and Sefolosha, who went outside to check on their friend, Copeland, a 1OAK spokesperson said. At one point, the two began pushing their way through a crowd that had gathered around the scene, leading to their arrests, the spokesperson said.
Now, Sefolosha faces an additional charge of resisting arrest in which he ended up hurting his ankle.
It was reported on Twitter via Zach Klein that, “#Hawks Thabo Sefolosha sustained an injury to his ankle during his arrest. Has a bandage on his right ankle. Out for tonight (per ABC NY)”
The NBA and the Hawks front office said they were looking into the incident.
“We are aware of the situation involving Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha this morning. We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time,” Hawks spokesman Garin Narain said in an email.
The reason why the two Hawks were arrested was that Antic and Sefolosha interfered with officers trying to establish a crime scene, and one of the Hawks pushed a police officer, WABC reported.
The Hawks are preparing for a historic playoff run after clinching the No. 1 seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
In regards to Copeland, the Pacers released a statement saying Copeland suffered a knife wound to his left elbow and abdomen, and he’s in stable condition at a New York hospital.
“We are aware that Chris Copeland was injured early this morning in New York City. We are still gathering information and will update when we know more. Our thoughts are with Chris and those injured,” Larry Bird, the Pacers’ president of basketball operations, said in a statement.
Copeland’s agent, John Spencer, issued a statement saying, “We’re concerned about the safety of Chris and Katrine. We don’t have any details at this particular time. All we can do is pray and wait.”
Since being arrested, looking out for their friend Chris Copeland, Atlanta Hawks, Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha have been released from police custody on their own recognizance, according to Chris Vivlamore of the AJC.
In addition, police report information has come to light the case of Sefolosha and Antic and their involvement in a nightclub incident early on Wednesday morning. The report indicates that the two players were repeatedly told to leave the area before being arrested.
Both players will return to court in New York on June 16, per Zach Klein of WSB-TV.
