Chris Copeland, forward for the Indiana Pacers, was stabbed outside of New York City’s 1OAK nightclub early this morning (Apr. 8). His wife, Katrine Saltara, as well as another woman, Catherine Somani were also stabbed in the incident.
Two players from the Atlanta Hawks, Pero Antić, and Thabo Sefolosha, were also arrested following the incident for allegedly preventing police from establishing their crime scene. The Hawks are in town for their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
According to the New York Post, Copeland and Saltara were arguing outside the club at about 4 a.m., when a man named Shezoy Bleary approached the two of them. Police sources tell the newspaper that Copeland dismissed Bleary, leading him to pulling out a knife and stabbing Copeland in the stomach. He then stabbed Saltara in the breast, buttocks and arm before turning his weapon on Somani, who was slashed in the abdomen.
The New York Daily News reports that Somani is friends with Bleary, and that investigators believe she was cut by accident.
“She was with him, and in the course of what he was doing, (he) slashed her in the abdomen,” a source said.
Copeland and Saltara were taken to Bellevue Hospital and are in stable condition. Somani was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital. Bleary was arrested on the scene.
Copeland was in town for the Pacers’ upcoming face-off against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. NBA legend and Pacers’ president of basketball operations Larry Bird released a statement following the melee.
“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.”