Posted on 10/06/2006 9:43:43 AM PDT by BJClinton
INDIANAPOLIS - Stephen Jackson of the Indiana Pacers was slugged in the mouth, struck by a car and fired a gun in the air in self-defense outside a strip club early Friday, police said.
Jackson was limping but refused medical treatment at the scene, police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Mount said. Jackson conferred with a team trainer and sought treatment at a hospital.
Officers found a small amount of marijuana in the passenger side door of Pacer point guard Jamaal Tinsley's car, police said. Officers could not determine the car's driver or to whom the marijuana belonged, so no arrests were made.
There were no reports of anyone hit by gunfire. Police were looking for the car that struck Jackson, and others involved. Jackson was at the Indianapolis club with teammates Tinsley, Marquis Daniels and Jimmie Hunter, police said.
Jackson told officers he fired his 9 mm pistol five times after he was hit in the mouth and tossed on the hood of the car, Mount said.
Coach Rick Carlisle declined comment Friday, and calls by The Associated Press to team president Larry Bird and chief executive Donnie Walsh weren't immediately returned. A message was left with Jackson's agent, Dan Fegan.
The Pacers said Friday that all involved are cooperating with police, and none of the players at the strip club would be available to the media after practice Friday.
"Since this is an ongoing review of the matters that took place Friday morning, the Pacers will have no further comment at this time," the team said in a statement.
The mayhem began with an argument inside Club Rio involving patrons and players, Mount said. The players said they left the club, but the patrons followed them.
"At some point when leaving the club, a verbal altercation ensued ... that turned into a physical altercation," Mount said.
Tinsley and Daniels also had guns in their cars, and all three armed players had weapons permits, Mount said, although Daniels' permit was issued by Florida.
The strip club's managers told police that professional athletes sometimes come to the club.
"They don't have a lot of problems there," Mount said.
Jackson was suspended 30 games for his role in a brawl with Detroit Pistons fans at Auburn Hills, Mich., two seasons ago. Last season, he repeatedly argued with officials and his coach, and was singled out by Bird for his negative attitude.
Jackson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault charges related to Auburn Hills and was sentenced in September 2005 to a year's probation and community service.
Bird said in May his players must shape up or play elsewhere next season. He said he was through dealing with what he said were bad attitudes, selfishness and laziness.
"They're the ones that have to make the changes," he said at the time. "If they can't make the changes, yes, we have to look to move them."
Jackson, a 28-year-old guard, joined the Pacers in 2004 and averaged 16 points during the 2005-06 season.
During a recent news conference, he hugged Carlisle and sat by his side to answer questions — a gesture the Pacers hoped would symbolize improved team chemistry. That happened a day after Carlisle signed a contract extension and was given the title of executive vice president of basketball operations.
I dunno. I don't follow the NBA unless the Spurs or Mavs are in the playoffs.
I left out boxing! How on earth could I have left out boxing! Even if 99% of the personnel of the sport were clean, between Don King and Mike Tyson there has been enough trouble for the last 15 years to keep it right up there near the top.
" i always thought a rap sheet was required to play pro basketball"
------the way things are going a rap RECORD will be required!(THEN a rap sheet: one follows the other like the night the day)
Yes, but they're all in San Antonio. The same team that got rid of Mr. Jackson a few years back.
I wish I could remember the name of the boxer who died from the beating in the ring because his opponent's gloves were "fixed" - a horrible story with the culprits getting off far too leniently.
"Jackson will be charged with criminal recklessness, a felony. He will also be charged with battery and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors, said Roger Rayl, spokesman for Prosecutor Carl Brizzi."
They're also going to test a bag of marijuana found in another player's car for DNA.
Should Jackson's story be added to the Bang! list? He was shooting in self-defense and had a permit.
Oops. According to a live news report on WIBC-AM in Indy, there never was a DNA test of the marijuana. A friend of one of the other Pacers, not a team member, has been charged with possession.
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