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Video: NBA Player Suffers Season-Ending Injury During Altercation With NYPD Officers
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 10, 2015
Modified Apr 10, 2015
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 10, 2015
Modified Apr 10, 2015
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Earlier this week, three people—including ex-Knicks power forward Chris Copeland, his former girlfriend, and another woman—were stabbed during an incident outside the Chelsea club 1OAK. In addition to the attacker, two members of the Atlanta Hawks, Pero Antić and Thabo Sefolosha, were arrested "for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene." It seems that during the arrest, Sefolosha was grabbed around the neck and flung to the ground. He will now miss the Hawks’ final four regular-season games and the postseason because of a fractured right fibula and ligament damage.
You can see video of the police takedown, via TMZ, below.
"This is a very difficult situation for Thabo and our thoughts and support will be with him during his recovery," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said in a statement. "We know that his approach and dedication will serve him well in his rehabilitation. Our team remains focused and will be prepared as we head into the postseason."
The incident was sparked around 4 a.m. Wednesday outside the nightclub at 453 West 17th Street. Copeland was apparently in an argument with his wife when 22-year-old Shezon Bleary interrupted them. He then allegedly took out a knife: "Copeland told the man to get lost, which is when the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Copeland in the stomach, police sources said. Bleary then turned the blade on the basketball player’s [former girlfriend], Katrine Saltara, and stabbed her in the breast, buttocks and arm, police sources said. Another woman, who was known to the stabber, was also attacked."
Copeland sustained a knife wound to his left elbow and abdomen and is in stable condition; he also fractured an elbow during the melee. He underwent surgery on his elbow and abdomen and is currently recovering.
Sefolosha and Antic were both charged with resisting arrest and Obstructing Governmental Administration. According to the criminal complaint, Antic and Sefolosha were told six times to clear the scene, but would only "move a couple of feet away but refuse to clear the area."
TMZ writes that when it came time to arrest Sefolosha, "police say he flailed his arms, twisted his body and kicked his legs. It took four people, according to the complaint, to get him into cuffs."
The Hawks players were all in town to play the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night; they arrived in the city late Tuesday night after playing a game at home in Atlanta.
Tagged
basketball
chris copeland
cops
nba
nypd
Thabo Sefolosha
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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