Pacers' Chris Copeland stabbed in abdomen, elbow at NY nightclub

Police arrested Copeland's attacker -- 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary. Copeland's wife was also slashed during the incident, according to sources.

By Michael Hurcomb

Apr 8, 2015 at 9:38 am ET • 1 min read

Pacers forward Chris Copeland was stabbed in the abdomen during an argument at a New York nightclub early Wednesday, police sources told the New York Daily News. Copeland's wife, Katrine Saltara, was also slashed during the incident, which happened shortly before 4 a.m at 1 OAK club.

Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird acknowledged Copeland suffered an injury Wednesday morning before the team confirmed Copeland suffered a knife wound to his left elbow and abdomen. The team said Copeland is in stable condition at a New York hospital.

“We are aware that Chris Copeland was injured early this morning in New York City," Bird said in a statement on the team's website. "We are still gathering information and will update when we know more. Our thoughts are with Chris and those injured.”

An argument erupted as Copeland and the suspect were leaving, sources said. Copeland's attacker -- 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary -- was arrested. Sources said Bleary pulled out a knife and stabbed Copeland, 31, and slashed Saltara, 28, in the arm and leg. A second woman -- 53-year-old Catherine Comani -- that was with Bleary was also slashed in the abdomen, sources added.

Copeland and Saltara were rushed to Bellevue Hospital and were in stable condition. Comani was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital and was also listed as stable. Copeland is expected to remain in the intensive care unit for a few days, a source told ESPN.

Also arrested at the scene, according to sources, were Hawks players Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha, who were booked for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene. Sefolosha, 30, and Antic, 32, refused to move when police tried to set up a crime scene. They were charged with obstructing governmental administration.

"We are aware of the situation involving Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha this morning," Hawks spokesperson Garin Narain said in a statement to ESPN. "We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time."

Copeland was in New York as the Pacers will play the Knicks on Wednesday. Sefolosha and Antic are also in New York as the Hawks play the Nets on Wednesday.