Slam Dunk Central

The Indiana Pacers and legal scrapes have met acquaintance - on more than one occasion. There was the Detroit Pistons game some time back. Then there was the strip club shooting involving some Pacers. This particular episode only involves one Pacer - point guard Jamaal Tinsley. The Associated Press reports that Tinsley and Pacers equipment manager Joey Qatato were targeted in a shooting Sunday morning outside of an Indianapolis hotel.Qatato, the injured party of record, was struck in both elbows as he sat in Tinsley’s Rolls Royce with Tinsley; Qatato was taken to Methodist Hospital where he was treated and released. Indianapolis police said that the shooting involved an assault rifle and followed a confrontation when Tinsley and his companions were leaving Cloud 9, a downtown nightclub. Tinsley’s group had arrived at the club in 3 cars owned by Tinsley - a Mercedes, a Rolls Royce and a Dodge Charger. After Tinsley and friends left, they realized that they were being followed by a gray Chrysler vehicle and a pickup truck.

Instead of going home as most people would do after leaving a club that time of morning, Tinsley’s group pulled into the Conrad Hotel, a downtown luxury hotel, where the shooting started. Tinsley’s Roll Royce was struck by several bullets and 5 bullet holes were found on the Charger; no one was injured in the Charger. 2 vehicles in Tinsley’s group then followed the shooters in a chase and Tinsley’s brother, James, returned fire at the attackers, according to police.

Authorities were called to the hotel at 3:40 AM; Tinsley was the only Pacer in the group, which included his brother and several friends, according to Indianapolis Police Department spokesman Sgt. Paul Thompson. Thompson added that police were still looking for the 2 vehicles; no additional arrests have been made. Neither the Pacers nor Tinsley’s agent, Raymond Brothers, provided no immediate comment on the incident.

If this is anything like what happens at clubs in downtown Indianapolis, more than likely the individuals involved in the shooting - not Tinsley’s group - more than likely lived just north of downtown. Having lived in Indianapolis from 1986 until 2003, I know the type of individuals who congregate around the clubs in the downtown area. Since I relocated in 2003, there have been quite a few buildings that have gone up - restaurants, some hotels, and other new construction. Because there’s a lack of nightclubs once you leave downtown, they are drawn to that area, especially around Monument Circle. But regardless, it is fortunate that the incident happened very early Sunday morning, as very little happens downtown after 1:30 AM.

Stumble it!