Police arrest 19-year-old in connection with post-NBA game shooting that hurt 8

Published January 08, 2015

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with a shooting that wounded eight people shortly after the Thunder-Lakers NBA playoff game in Oklahoma City.

Police say Rodney Hill was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon, but no other details have been released.

A late-night fight in Oklahoma City that escalated into gunfire and left eight people injured -- one critically -- was not related to the Thunder-Lakers NBA playoff game that had just ended a few blocks away, police said.

"All we're hearing from some of the witnesses is there was pushing and shoving in the area," Capt. Dexter Nelson said. "Apparently a group of girls got into it with some guys. It was shortly thereafter that gunfire erupted."

Emergency Medical Services Authority spokeswoman Lara O'Leary said seven people were taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds and that a pregnant woman was also taken to the hospital after she was assaulted in the scuffle.

Nelson said one of the shooting victims was in critical condition Tuesday and seven other people, including the pregnant woman hurt in the scuffle, were in good condition. He said it wasn't clear what sparked the shooting about 11:30 p.m. Monday or if anyone involved had been at the Chesapeake Energy Arena to see the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers to advance to the Western Conference finals.

Police are struggling to track down witnesses but are checking with nearby businesses that may have surveillance cameras that captured the fight and shooting.

Thunder spokesman Dan Mahoney issued a statement saying the violence "put a damper on what was otherwise an exciting night for Oklahoma City and the Thunder."

"We are in communication with the Oklahoma City Police Department to determine exactly what happened and if there was any way for it to be prevented," Mahoney said.

He said keeping fans safe is a top priority and the team will work with the city and police to review security and crowd control procedures and makes changes as needed.

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