Police: Arrest Made In Rucker Park Shooting That Injured 5; Basketball Tournament Resumes
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have made an arrest in connection with a shooting during a basketball tournament at Rucker Park in Harlem.
Ricardo Laing, 24, of White Plains, is charged with five counts of attempted murder, police told 1010 WINS.
The shooting happened around 10:15 p.m. on July 25 during an annual basketball tournament at the park. The shooting may have resulted from a dispute during the game, police said.
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Greg Marius, founder and CEO of Entertainer's Basketball Classic which organizes the tournament, issued a statement on its website about the shooting saying they are "angry and appalled at what has taken place."
"EBC has worked diligently over the years to thwart violence of any kind, specifically gun violence. In 32 years, there has never been a shooting incident at an EBC event," Marius said. "We are all well traumatized by this and so many other senseless acts of violence, and share the community's collective frustration. As the NYPD conducts a full investigation, EBC founder, and staff extends deepest regrets, thoughts and prayers to the injured and their families."
The tournament was shut down last Thursday because of security concerns and while organizers hoped to resume play Monday, the commanding officer of the 32nd precinct didn't allow it, police said.
It was agreed the tournament should resume at 6 p.m. Tuesday following a meeting between Marius, police and Parks Department personnel. Marius said police agreed last week's shooting was an isolated incident.
"The Parks Department, Police Department and the community did not want to see this tournament end," Marius said. "They understand that we have always been on top of our job when it comes to security."
The shooting at Rucker Park came just days after a shooting during a charity basketball tournament at the Forest Houses in the Bronx.
A 17-year-old has been indicted on murder and other charges in that shooting after a 4-year-old boy was caught in the crossfire and killed, police said. Two other suspects have also been arrested in that case.
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