Chris Copeland's attacker Shezoy Bleary being taken into custody.
IN PHOTO: Shezoy Bleary, who was taken into custody over the stabbing of NBA player Chris Copeland of the Indiana Pacers and his wife, is escorted out of the 10th Precinct of the New York Police Department (NYPD) in Manhattan, New York April 8, 2015. Copeland and his wife were stabbed during a dispute outside a New York City nightclub early on Wednesday and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police and media reports. Police said charges are pending, but did not identify the suspect. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Indiana Pacers’ Chris Copeland, along with a friend and another woman, has been hospitalized after being stabbed outside a nightclub in Manhattan. The incident has also seen the arrest of two Atlanta Hawk players, Thabo Sefolosha and Pero Antic, who hampered police officers trying to investigate the crime scene.

The Pacers released a statement on their website that Copeland had been injured in his abdomen and elbow. Additionally, a report by ESPN claims that the forward was stabbed in the diaphragm and also had a fractured elbow. The player underwent surgery and is currently in intensive care.

The police version, according to reports, is that Copeland was with former fiancé Katrine Saltara outside the nightclub. Saltara and Copeland were reportedly arguing when the attacker, identified now as 22 year old Shezoy Bleary, intervened and then, after arguing with Copeland, pulled out a knife and attacked Copeland and Saltara.

The ESPN report, however, quotes a source with a different story. According to the ESPN source, Copeland and Saltara were just talking outside the club when Bleary turned up, with Somani alongside him. After being asked to leave by the Pacers forward, the attacker got angry, pulled out a knife and stabbed him. Saltara was also injured when she attempted to chokehold Bleary. She sustained injuries on her arms and chest. Somani was accidentally injured by Bleary in her stomach in the fracas.

Sefolosha and Antic, who were also at the club but not with Copeland at the time of the incident allegedly obstructed police offers trying to conduct the investigation. They were here with the Hawks team which was set to play against the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night. They were produced in court and released on bail. The two apologized for any negative attention brought on the Hawks, in a joint statement, and maintained that they would strongly contest any charges.

Pacers’ coach Frank Vogel expressed concern about Copeland but claimed his team’s focus was still on the game as they prepared for their match against the Hawks. "Right now we are just concerned about Cope's well-being. Obviously it hurts to see a teammate be injured like this, but we're trying to remain focused on the game tonight," Vogel said.

Email karthik17g.b@gmail.com to contact author of this article.

RELATED STORIES