According to a report released by the NY Daily News on Wednesday morning, former Colorado men’s basketball phenom Chris Copeland, 31, and his wife Katrine Saltara, 28, suffered stab wounds following a fight outside of a club in New York City on Tuesday night.
One other woman, 23-year-old Catherine Somani, was also reportedly slashed by the suspect, 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary.
Following the incident, the three victims were taken to a nearby hospital, where they remain in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the report, an argument ensued between the Pacers’ forward and Saltara outside of the Chelsea club in eastern New York City. Bleary, who was initially uninvolved with the dispute, escalated the verbal brawl by pulling out a knife.
Bleary then proceeded to stab Copeland in the abdomen and slash Saltara on the arm and leg. His own friend, Somani, turned into collateral damage when he accidentally slashed her in the abdomen too.
Copeland’s driver managed to prevent the suspect from escaping before the police arrived on the scene. The NYPD has since detained Bleary after recovering the knife. He has not yet been charged with the events surrounding the incident.
Copeland, who played as forward for the Colorado men’s basketball team from 2002-2006, led the Buffs to two NIT tournament appearances and an NCAA tournament invitation.
During his senior season with CU, Copeland averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
He began his professional career in the NBA developmental league with the Fort Worth Flyers in 2006, where he spent one year before taking his talents overseas. Over the next five seasons, he gained international experience playing for teams in Spain, Germany, and Belgium. He currently plays as forward for the Indiana Pacers.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Alissa Noe at Alissa.Noe@colorado.edu.
