Chair-Tossing Suspect Found In New Video

Man Could Face Felony Charges

POSTED: 8:07 am EST November 23, 2004

UPDATED: 4:36 pm EST November 23, 2004

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Exclusive video of the man accused of throwing a chair into a crowd at Friday night's melee at The Palace of Auburn Hills has been obtained by Local 4.

Local 4 has obtained new video footage of the man suspected of tossing a chair at Friday night's brawl at The Palace.

Local 4 producers have been reviewing game footage for a closer look at the culprit. Police have already reviewed video of the brawl from a fan who snuck in a camera, and released an enhanced image of the man. The new footage is a clearer profile of the man and shows him allegedly rocking a chair to loosen it, and seconds later running through the crowd up the aisle of The Palace, Local 4 reported.

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See Exclusive Video |

Chair Tosser Wanted By Police)

Police were expected at Local 4 studios to review the new footage. Investigators are hoping someone will recognize the man from the enhanced images or that he will come forward.

The man is described as black, with a goatee, and was wearing a baseball cap and a black leather jacket.

"He just picks up the chair, and really nonchalantly as possible, throws the chair over his shoulder, behind him," said Auburn Hills police Lt. James Manning after viewing the first video. "Not aiming the chair. He was just recklessly throwing it."

Police said the man should turn himself in. He could face felonious assault charges.

"Yes. We're hoping to identify him so we can interview him, bring this investigation to a close," said Manning.

No other charges have been filed in connection with Friday's brawl. Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca said charges could be filed against fans and players but will most likely include misdemeanor assault and battery.

Anyone with information on the man's identity should call Auburn Hills police at (248) 370-9444.

Artest Regrets Charging Into Stands

Indiana Pacers player Ron Artest has admitted that he regrets charging into the stands, Local 4 reported.

Artest said in a new People magazine article that he wishes the situation had not turned out the way it did.

"I hope some of the Detroit fans I was interacting with before the game could come to my defense," said Artest in the article. "You know, you've got fans. And 99.9 percent of them are great and 0.1 percent are jerks."

The Indiana Pacer also commented on the brawl in a satellite interview from Indianapolis with Matt Lauer on NBC's "Today Show" in New York.

"It wasn't good at all for anybody," said Artest.

Artest said this is the third incident in which he has been hit by something thrown by a fan at a game. He said fans can say anything, but they should not have thrown objects.

When Lauer asked Artest if he believed he received the appropriate punishment for Friday's incident at The Palace of Auburn Hills, he said he respects NBA Commissioner David Stern's decision but does not believe he should have been suspended for the rest of the season.

As for his future plans, Artest said he is working on a music CD and will "continue to do positive things."

Artest's suspension is expected to cost him about $5 million in lost salary.

Player	Games Suspended	Salary	Salary Lost
Ron Artest (Indiana)	73	$6.2 million	$4.95 million
Stephen Jackson (Indiana)	30	$5.1 million	$1.7 million
Jermaine O'Neal (Indiana)	25	$14.8 million	$4.1 million
Ben Wallace (Detroit)	6	$6 million	$400,000
Anthony Johnson (Indiana)	5	$2.2 million	$122,222
Reggie Miller (Indiana)	1	$5.5 million	$61,111
Chauncey Billups (Detroit)	1	$5.5 million	$60,611
Derrick Coleman (Detroit)	1	$4.5 million	$50,000
Elden Campbell (Detroit)	1	$4.4 million	$48,888