June 19, 2013

Police say 16-year-old shot eight outside NBA game

police

() – A 16-year-old boy is in custody and suspected of opening fire after an on Monday, injuring eight people who had gathered outside an arena to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder play the , police said on Wednesday.

The police said they expect to file charges against the youth of shooting with intent to kill the eight victims, after filing an in court on Wednesday detailing the evidence against the boy.

The Daily Oklahoman newspaper reported on Wednesday that the boy confessed to the shooting, but that could not immediately be confirmed.

He was among a group of young people who had clashed repeatedly with another group during the “viewing party” outside Chesapeake Arena, according to Billy Bock, attorney for a 19-year-old man who went to the downtown gathering with the 16-year-old suspect and other friends.

The sparring groups eventually were separated by police before someone suddenly drew a gun and began firing, said Bock.

A smart-phone video broadcast on a records 14 shots being fired. Police have asked the public to hand over any other video of the shootings.

Three of the people shot were , while five had been involved in the group , which revolved around “high school, girls-and-boys stuff,” Bock said.

“It was the kind of stuff we used to settle with fist fights, but now these kids have guns,” Bock said.

Bock’s client, Rodney Hill, had been detained in the case but was ordered released by a judge on Wednesday.

An estimated 7,000 to 9,000 people had gathered outside Chesapeake Arena on Monday night when the shootings occurred.

After defeating the Lakers, the Thunder will meet the on Sunday in the next round of the . The team said on Wednesday that it will no longer allow fans to view the game on a giant screen on the street outside the arena. Viewing there will be restricted to before the game.

(Editing by Greg and Philip Barbara)

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