Scottie Pippen went out for sushi but it wasn't the raw fish that put someone in the hospital. According to the AP, Pippen put some guy in the hospital. Rumor has it that the unidentified victim was asked for an autograph when things took a turn for the worse. For now, all we know for sure is that he is in the hospital and Pippen was involved.
The altercation occurred about 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Nobu restaurant, said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. There was an argument between Pippen and the man, who was taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries, Whitmore said. His condition was not immediately available.
Investigators were interviewing several witnesses who apparently saw what transpired and criminal charges could be filed, Whitmore said. It wasn't known if Pippen has spoken with authorities.
"Right now it's under investigation,'' Whitmore said. "We have to interview everybody to find out what happened.''
UPDATE: Pippen has been released by the police after Pippen came in for questioning. From the Chicago Tribune:
"He came in to be interviewed, he's been cooperative," said Whitmore.
By Monday afternoon, Pippen had been questioned by police and was cooperative, said Whitmore. Pippen was allowed to leave without being charged, said Whitmore.
"Mr. Pippen will not be arrested, there's more here than meets the eye," said Whitmore.
He said the investigation was continuing. "We have to investigate and check with all the witnesses and find out exactly what happened," said Whitmore.
Earlier, Pippen was named as a suspect and was facing possible charges of assault with intent to cause great bodily injury, Whitmore said.
UPDATE (2/25): A report from the NY Daily News says Pippen was in fact the victim.
But a source said Pippen was the real victim. The fan started the tussle, spit on the ex-athlete and screamed the called him the N-word, the source said, adding that Pippen was holding his 4-year-old daughter at the time.
“Can you imagine, you’re out to dinner with your wife, your four kids and your mother-in-law, and someone calls you the N-word and starts to get physical?” the source said, calling the alleged victim’s story a “crock.”
“When Scottie left, this guy had no injuries,” said the source. “Scottie is very upset about the way this has been portrayed.”
