» NEW: Police report details of the arrest
Hawks players Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha were arrested in New York early Wednesday and charged with obstructing governmental administration. The two were present when Pacers player Chris Copeland was stabbed in the abdomen and his wife slashed during an argument at the nightclub 1 OAK club, according to the New York Daily News.
According to the newspaper, Antic and Sefolosha were arrested for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Another woman was also stabbed in the incident that occurred around 4 a.m. Antic was also charged with disorderly conduct and menacing. Sefolosha was also charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
The Hawks are aware of the incident.
“We are aware of the situation involving Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha this morning,” Hawks Vice President of Public Relations Garin Narain said. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time.”
According to the newspaper, the man who was arrested, Shezoy Bleary, 22, pulled a knife and stabbed Copeland, 31, and slashed 28-year-old Katrine Saltara, described by investigators as Copeland’s wife, in the arm and leg. The second woman, Catherine Somani, 53, was slashed in the abdomen. Copeland and his wife are in stable condition according to the newspaper. Antic, 32, and Sefolosha, 30, were arrested following the incident and it is unclear whether they were involved in the argument.
According to the New York Times, a police spokeswoman said Sefolosha was charged after he refused to disperse and then “charged at an officer.” Antic was charged while Sefolosha was being arrested when he “physically grabbed another police officer.”
The players were in New York as the Hawks play the Nets and the Pacers play the Knicks on Wednesday. The Hawks arrived in New York following Tuesday’s home game against the Suns.
The arrests came hours after the Hawks set a franchise record with their 58th regular-season victory. The Hawks have five games remaining in the regular season before they enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird issued the following statement Wednesday: “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.”
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