Ex-Knick Chris Copeland sends apology after Chelsea stabbing; Suspect arraigned

NEW YORK (WABC) -- we have new video this morning of the chaos after the stabbing that left indiana pacers' forward chris copeland in the hospital.

this video from t-m-z sports shows the atlanta hawks' thabo sefolosha tah'-boo sehf-ah-loh'-shuh wrestling with police.

he and a teammate were charged with disorderly conduct.

sefolosha also suffered a broken right leg and ligament damage.

he's going to miss the rest of the season.

Indiana Pacers forward and former New York Knick Chris Copeland is expected to be in the hospital recovering for a few more days after he was stabbed outside a popular Chelsea nightclub early Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, the suspect, 22-year-old Shevoy Bleary Murdock, of Brooklyn, was arraigned on assault and weapons possession charges. Bail was set at $20,000.

Copeland released two statements on Thursday, with the latter including an apology, that were sent via the Pacers organization.

"I also want to apologize to everyone, particularly the NBA and the Pacers for my bad choice at being out at that time," it read.

He released a first statement Thursday morning, ESPN reported, thanking supporters.

"I just want to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers," it read. "I'm overwhelmed with the outpouring of support. I look forward to coming back stronger than ever. Thank you."

ESPN's Josina Anderson reported that the knife hit Copeland's diaphragm and that doctors thought the wound on Copeland's elbow could be susceptible to infection. Copeland will remain in intensive care for two or three days, a source told ESPN.

Around 4 a.m. outside 1Oak, authorities said Copeland and a woman, who may have been in an argument on the street, were approached by Murdock, who apparently tried to listen in and possibly get involved.

Copeland and Murdock got into a dispute outside the club, police said, and Copeland pushed him. Murdock allegedly retaliated with a knife.

The Indianapolis Star reported that one source denied Copeland and Saltara were arguing, saying it was more of a discussion.

"It wasn't even close to an argument," the source said. "Chris did not initiate anything."

Copeland, 31, was stabbed in the left elbow and abdomen, and was listed in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital after undergoing surgery. The woman, 28-year-old Katrine Saltara, was stabbed in the arm, breast and buttocks while trying to break up the fight and required 22 stitches.

Saltara was released from Bellevue about 7 p.m., but would not leave the hospital until checking on Copeland.

Police said 23-year-old Catherine Somani, apparently a friend of the suspect, was slashed in the abdomen by accident or while attempting to break up the dispute. She was treated and released at Lenox Hill Hospital. Detectives were questioning her after her release.

Murdock is charged with felony assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. Police said a knife was recovered at the scene. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.

Copeland is a 6-foot-8-inch forward originally from Orange, N.J. He played 56 games with the Knicks during the 2012-2013 season, his rookie year. He signed with the Pacers in 2013 as a restricted free agent and is in the second year of a two-year deal.

"We are aware that Chris Copeland was injured early this morning in New York City," Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said in a statement. "We are still gathering information and will update when we know more. Our thoughts are with Chris and those injured."

Meanwhile, as officers responded, they said two Atlanta Hawks players got in the way of their attempts to establish a crime scene. One of them allegedly pushed a police officer, and both were taken into custody. Thabo Sefolosha, 30, was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct. Pero Antic, 30, was charged with obstructing governmental administration, menacing and disorderly conduct.

"We are aware of the situation involving Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha this morning," Hawks spokesperson Garin Narain said in a statement. "We are in the process of gathering more information and will have further comment at the appropriate time."

Sefolosha and Antic were in Atlanta Tuesday night, scoring a combined 32 points as the Hawks beat the Phoenix Suns. They apparently flew to New York City after their game, as the Hawks play in Brooklyn Wednesday night.

Sefolosha suffered a broken right leg and ligament damage. He will miss the rest of the season.

Although Saltara was preliminarily identified by police as Copeland's wife, it appears that she is a former girlfriend who may have been his fiancee at one point. There is evidence they were engaged a few years ago, but the exact nature of their current relationship is not known.

Copeland's agent, John Spencer, provided the following statement to The Indianapolis Star: "We're concerned about the safety of Chris and Katrine. We don't have any details at this particular time. All we can do is pray and wait."

Officials with 1Oak say their understanding of the Hawks' players involvement is that they were trying to push their way out of the club to avoid being noticed or involved, and the police were setting up crime scene and were emptying the club in a more orderly fashion than the two apparently wanted.

Copeland was reportedly in the club for about 15 minutes, and the officials believe he was walking in the direction of his car. The police told them Copeland's driver grabbed the perpetrator and held him until police arrived.

Antic and Sefolosha were there for a more substantial period of time, at a table receiving bottle service. Officials say it was just the two of them there, with no other teammates. They were arraigned in Midtown Community Court and released on their own recognizance.