Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland was reportedly stabbed at the 1 OAK club in New York City early Wednesday morning. Two members of the Atlanta Hawks, Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha, were also arrested at the scene for impeding police.
Police sources told The New York Daily News that the incident happened before 4 a.m. at the club on West 17th Street. A woman, Copeland’s wife Katrine Saltara, 28, was also slashed during the incident. The suspect, Shezoy Bleary, 22, was arrested.
Sources told the Daily News that the stabbing occurred just as the club was about to close. An argument started between Copeland, 31, and the suspect. Another woman, Catherine Somani, 53, was also stabbed. Somani was with Bleary.
The two Hawks players were arrested for trying to keep police from setting up the crime scene, the Daily News reported. In addition, Sefolosha, 30, was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Antic, 32, was also charged with disorderly conduct and menacing.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the Hawks do know of the incident and are currently getting more information before making another statement.
“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,” Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said in a statement this morning.
The Hawks are in New York to play the Brooklyn Nets, while the Pacers will play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden tonight.