snuffy
09-01-2008, 10:49 PM
Mon September 1, 2008
Two OU athletes stabbed over weekend
By Jake Trotter
Staff Writer
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma basketball player Ray Willis and football player Frank Alexander were stabbed over the weekend during a melee that involved guns, knives and tire irons, multiple sources have confirmed to The Oklahoman.
Both Willis and Alexander required surgery for their injuries, but are expected to make full recoveries.
About 2:32 a.m. Sunday, Norman police responded to an altercation that erupted into a melee during a private party at Serenade, also known as Sooner Knights, located at 1309 SW 24th St. in Norman.
According to Police Lt. Blake Green, two stabbing victims in connection with the incident were taken by private vehicle to the emergency room at Norman Regional Hospital.
Alexander was treated and released from the emergency room, hospital spokeswoman Brenda Finkle said.
A source close to the basketball program said that Willis “is going to be fine.”
Football coach Bob Stoops said Monday evening that two OU athletes were attacked over the weekend, but wouldn’t comment on specifics.
“There was an incident where a couple of our athletes were assaulted,” Stoops said. “There’s an ongoing investigation. Until we know more, I’m not going to confirm or not confirm anything.”
A third victim, who is still unknown, was hit by a car during the incident, but was treated and released from the hospital, Lt. Green said.
At the scene, police arrested Terran McCabe, 27, of Oklahoma City, on a complaint of carrying a concealed weapon, Lt. Green said. At the moment, police are considering the complaint unrelated to the assaults committed at Serenade. McCabe has no prior felony convictions in Oklahoma.
Willis is a 6-foot-6, 170-pound freshman guard from Westlake High School in Atlanta, Ga. He was born in Tulsa, but moved to Orlando, Fla., eventually starring on the Dr. Phillips High School basketball team there for three seasons. His senior year, he moved to Atlanta.
Alexander, a backup defensive end, recorded a tackle in Saturday’s 57-2 victory over Tennessee-Chattanooga. Alexander, a redshirt freshman, is from Baton Rouge, La.
“We are most concerned about the recovery of those who were injured,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a statement. “Our desire is to assist law enforcement authorities in their investigation. While the details are still emerging, indications are that those who were injured were victims of assault.”
According to Lt. Green, no one else is believed to have been seriously injured from the incident.
Police Capt. Michael Praizner said the department is looking for suspects, but didn’t have any specific leads.
Anyone with information is asked to call Norman police at (405) 321-1444 or Crime Stoppers at (405) 366-7867.
John Helsley and Scott Wright contributed to this report.
Two OU athletes stabbed over weekend
By Jake Trotter
Staff Writer
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma basketball player Ray Willis and football player Frank Alexander were stabbed over the weekend during a melee that involved guns, knives and tire irons, multiple sources have confirmed to The Oklahoman.
Both Willis and Alexander required surgery for their injuries, but are expected to make full recoveries.
About 2:32 a.m. Sunday, Norman police responded to an altercation that erupted into a melee during a private party at Serenade, also known as Sooner Knights, located at 1309 SW 24th St. in Norman.
According to Police Lt. Blake Green, two stabbing victims in connection with the incident were taken by private vehicle to the emergency room at Norman Regional Hospital.
Alexander was treated and released from the emergency room, hospital spokeswoman Brenda Finkle said.
A source close to the basketball program said that Willis “is going to be fine.”
Football coach Bob Stoops said Monday evening that two OU athletes were attacked over the weekend, but wouldn’t comment on specifics.
“There was an incident where a couple of our athletes were assaulted,” Stoops said. “There’s an ongoing investigation. Until we know more, I’m not going to confirm or not confirm anything.”
A third victim, who is still unknown, was hit by a car during the incident, but was treated and released from the hospital, Lt. Green said.
At the scene, police arrested Terran McCabe, 27, of Oklahoma City, on a complaint of carrying a concealed weapon, Lt. Green said. At the moment, police are considering the complaint unrelated to the assaults committed at Serenade. McCabe has no prior felony convictions in Oklahoma.
Willis is a 6-foot-6, 170-pound freshman guard from Westlake High School in Atlanta, Ga. He was born in Tulsa, but moved to Orlando, Fla., eventually starring on the Dr. Phillips High School basketball team there for three seasons. His senior year, he moved to Atlanta.
Alexander, a backup defensive end, recorded a tackle in Saturday’s 57-2 victory over Tennessee-Chattanooga. Alexander, a redshirt freshman, is from Baton Rouge, La.
“We are most concerned about the recovery of those who were injured,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a statement. “Our desire is to assist law enforcement authorities in their investigation. While the details are still emerging, indications are that those who were injured were victims of assault.”
According to Lt. Green, no one else is believed to have been seriously injured from the incident.
Police Capt. Michael Praizner said the department is looking for suspects, but didn’t have any specific leads.
Anyone with information is asked to call Norman police at (405) 321-1444 or Crime Stoppers at (405) 366-7867.
John Helsley and Scott Wright contributed to this report.