Shots fired at Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley

 

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Indiana Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley and several companions were targeted in a shooting Sunday morning that wounded one person outside the Conrad Hotel downtown.
Police said Tinsley was not injured. Joey Qatato, identified as the team’s equipment manager on the Pacers’ Web site, was struck in both elbows as he sat with Tinsley in the player’s Rolls Royce.
The 48-year-old Qatato was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he was treated and released.
Police said the shooting involved an assault rifle and followed a confrontation that happened when Tinsley and his companions were leaving the “Cloud 9” club.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said: “We are gathering details but before we know more, it’s inappropriate for us to comment.”
Authorities were called to the hotel about 3:40 a.m.
Sgt. Paul Thompson, a spokesman for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, told the Indianapolis Star that two vehicles in Tinsley’s group followed the shooters in a chase, and Tinsley’s brother, James, returned fire at the attackers. It was unknown whether anyone was hit, and Jamaal Tinsley was not involved in the chase, Thompson told the newspaper.
Thompson told the Indianapolis Star the incident began when a group of people gave Tinsley’s group a hard time about their cars – a Mercedes, Rolls Royce and a Dodge Charger – and their earnings.
After Tinsley and friends left Cloud 9, they realized they were being followed by a gray Chrysler and a dark pickup truck, Thompson told the newspaper.
Instead of going home, Tinsley’s group pulled into the Conrad, where the shooting began. Tinsley’s Rolls Royce was struck by several bullets, and five bullet holes were found in the Charger, Thompson told the Indianapolis Star.
Police are investigating and looking for the two vehicles.
Jamaal Tinsley and teammate Marquis Daniels are scheduled to go to trial Jan. 14 in a case stemming from a bar fight.
A grand jury indicted Tinsley on a felony charge of intimidation and misdemeanor counts of battery, disorderly conduct and intimidation in connection with the Feb. 6 fight. Daniels is charged with battery and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.
According to a police report, the bar manager said Tinsley threatened to kill him during the fight. The confrontation with the players followed another fight involving a person who employees thought was trying to steal coats from the coat check area, police said.
Tinsley, Qatato and several other passengers were sitting in the Rolls Royce. Tinsley was not driving, Thompson said.
No one in the Charger was injured.
The point guard appeared to be the only Pacer in the group, which included his brother James, and several friends, Thompson said.
The Indiana Pacers did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment. Tinsley’s agent, Raymond Brothers, could not be reached for comment.
Police arrested one person in Tinsley’s group, Antoine Toon, 31, on an outstanding warrant out of Georgia.
Police have made no additional arrests, Thompson said.