NEW YORK -- Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland and two women were stabbed outside a Manhattan nightclub early Wednesday following an argument in an incident that also led to the arrest of two Atlanta Hawks players, authorities said.
In a statement, the Pacers said Copeland suffered a knife wound to his left elbow and abdomen and is in stable condition. In addition, a source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN's Chris Broussard that Copeland fractured his elbow. Copeland had surgery later Wednesday on his elbow and abdomen and was in recovery, Pacers coach Frank Vogel said, adding that there is no timetable for his return.
The Pacers entered Wednesday in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the Celtics for the eighth and final playoff spot. They have five games left in the regular season.
"We are aware that Chris Copeland was injured early this morning in New York City," Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird said earlier Wednesday. "We are still gathering information and will update when we know more. Our thoughts are with Chris and those injured."
A source told ESPN's Josina Anderson that the knife hit Copeland's diaphragm and that doctors wanted to clear the wound on Copeland's elbow because they thought it could be susceptible to infection. He also suffered lacerations to his left hand. Copeland likely will remain in the intensive care unit for two or three days, a source said.
The violence broke out just before 4 a.m. Wednesday outside 1Oak Club, a trendy Chelsea spot where celebs such as Justin Bieber and Snoop Dogg mingle with Manhattan partygoers.
Police said Copeland and Katrine Saltara were arguing on the street as the attacker eavesdropped and started to interfere. The dispute escalated until the suspect pulled out a knife and started slashing, police said. Copeland's driver grabbed the suspect and held him until officers arrived.
However, a source disputed the police account, saying Copeland and Saltara were having a conversation outside the club when they were approached by a stranger. According to the source, Copeland told the person he had to go, and the person took it the wrong way, then pulled out his knife and stabbed the Pacers forward in the stomach. Saltara then jumped on the attacker's back and tried to put him in a chokehold, but she got slashed.
Police say she was struck in the arm and across the breast, and was hospitalized in stable condition.
Earlier reports Wednesday said Saltara is Copeland's wife. A source, however, said they were engaged last year but are no longer, labeling their relationship as "good friends" who were hanging out at the club early Wednesday.
The second woman, who was believed to be with the attacker, also was slashed in the abdomen during the incident. She was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital and is in stable condition, according to the New York Daily News, which earlier reported the incident.
The suspect, Shezoy Bleary, 22, was in custody, authorities said. Police said charges were pending, and it wasn't clear whether Bleary had an attorney who could comment on the charges. A switchblade was recovered at the scene.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/chris-copeland-hospitalized-stabbing-nyc/story?id%3D30156893
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