'Basketbrawl' Star In New Altercation

Indiana Pacers player Stephen Jackson was hit in the mouth, struck by a car and fired a gun outside a strip club early Friday, police said.

Jackson, 28, told officers he fired his 9 mm pistol four or five times in the air in self-defense after he was punched and hit by a car outside the Club Rio near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said Sgt. Matthew Mount, spokesman for the Indianapolis Police Department.

There were no reports of anyone being struck by the gunfire, and police did not made any immediate arrests. Police are looking for others involved, as well as the car that struck Jackson, tossing him over the hood of the vehicle.

An argument involving patrons, Jackson and other members of the Pacers began inside the club, Mount said. The four Pacers — Jackson, Jamaal Tinsley, Marquis Daniels and Jimmie Hunter — decided to leave on their own. However, the patrons who had been arguing with them followed the players outside.

"At some point when leaving the club, a verbal altercation ensued that turned into a physical altercation," Mount said. The people with whom Jackson was arguing reportedly ran him over with their car, at which point Jackson fired the weapon he was carrying.

Jackson was limping but refused medical treatment at the scene, Mount said. He conferred with a Pacers trainer and sought medical treatment at a hospital.

According to police, Jackson does have a permit to carry a weapon. In addition, it was revealed that Tinsley and Daniels also had guns in their cars. The other players had permits for the weapons, although Daniels' permit was issued in Florida.

The Pacers planned to release a statement about the incident later Friday. The Associated Press left messages seeking comment with Jackson's agent, Dan Fegan.

Jackson joined the Pacers in 2004 and averaged 16 points last season. He was among Pacers players who threw punches at fans at the end of a nationally televised Indiana-Detroit game in 2004. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault charges and was sentenced to probation and community service.

Last year, Jackson often argued with officials, complained when he was taken out of games and said he didn't care whether the Pacers traded him.

But during a recent press conference, Jackson hugged coach Rick Carlisle and sat by his side to answer questions — an impromptu gesture the Pacers hoped would be a symbol of improved team chemistry this season.