Pacers forward Chris Copeland stabbed, friend slashed at nightclub

Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland was reportedly stabbed in the midsection during an altercation at a nightclub in New York City early Wednesday morning.

According to the NY Daily News, Copeland’s wife was slashed and another woman was also stabbed after the melee broke out. The argument allegedly occurred as Copeland was leaving 1 OAK nightclub in Chelsea shortly before 4 a.m. The attacker, 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary, was arrested, as were two NBA players.

Atlanta Hawks forwards Pero Antić and Thabo Sefolosha were arrested after they allegedly tried to prevent police from setting up a crime scene.

Bleary allegedly pulled out a knife after getting into it with Copeland and stabbed the 31-year-old veteran in the abdomen. Police say he then slashed Copeland’s wife, 28-year-old Katrine Saltara, in the arm and leg. The other woman, 53-year-old Catherine Somani, was reportedly slashed in the abdomen. All three victims were taken to the hospital, with Copeland and Saltara currently in stable condition. There was no update on Somani.

A police source told the Daily News that Somani is a friend of Bleary’s and was likely slashed by accident.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — nightclubs are a dangerous place for professional athletes in the wee hours of the morning. Just ask this guy.

UPDATE: The woman with Copeland who was also stabbed apparently was his former fiancee, not his wife.

To clarify, the female friend with Copeland at 1Oak is not his wife. They were engaged at one point, but are not married. Still close.

— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) April 8, 2015