Oklahoma City police arrest two men in post-NBA game shooting
(CBS/AP) OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Police have arrested two males in the shooting of eight people and the assault of a pregnant woman in downtown Oklahoma City shortly after the Thunder-Los Angeles Lakers NBA playoff game ended Monday night, CBS affiliate News 9 reports.
Authorites took 19-year-old Rodney Hill into custody Tuesday and arrested a 17-year-old male today, each on eight counts of shooting with intent to kill in connection with the incident in Oklahoma City's Bricktown entertainment district. Officials haven't released the name or photo of a 17-year-old suspect because he is a juvenile and has not yet been charged.
Police Capt. Dexter Nelson told The Associated Press that the shooting didn't appear to be connected to the playoff game, which Oklahoma City won to eliminate Los Angeles to advance to the NBA Western Conference finals.
"All we're hearing from some of the witnesses is there was pushing and shoving in the area," Nelson said. "Apparently a group of girls got into it with some guys. It was shortly thereafter that gunfire erupted."
Earlier, officers said seven people had been shot and a pregnant woman was injured. Police now say eight people were injured by gunfire in addition to the pregnant woman assaulted in the scuffle. One gunshot victim was in critical condition Tuesday but the others are in good condition.
Over 18,000 people were leaving Chesapeake Energy Arena and an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 more fans were outside when the shooting happened at 11:35 p.m. Monday, the AP reported.
Nelson did not know how many officers were assigned to the area at the time but said some were unable to quickly respond to the gunfire because of the crowd.
"If we had the entire department down there, we would have still been outnumbered by about 20-1," Nelson said.
The motive still remains unclear and an unknown number of other suspects are being sought in connection with the shooting, Nelson said. Police are also checking with nearby businesses for surveillance cameras that captured the fight.
Meanwhile, Thunder spokesman Dan Mahoney issued a statement saying the violence "put a damper on what was otherwise an exciting night for Oklahoma City and the Thunder."
"We are in communication with the Oklahoma City Police Department to determine exactly what happened and if there was any way for it to be prevented," Mahoney said.
He said keeping fans safe is a top priority and the team would work with the city and police to review security and crowd control procedures and makes changes as needed.
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