Man Admits To Opening Fire At Harlem Basketball Tournament
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man pleaded guilty Thursday to a 2012 shooting that wounded five people during a basketball tournament at Rucker Park in Harlem.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office announced that Ricardo Laing, of White Plains, pleaded guilty Thursday to assault and weapons charges.
Prosecutors sought a 12-year prison term, but a judge promised Laing 10. His sentencing is set for Feb. 13.
Laing, 25, was among hundreds of people watching the Entertainers Basketball Classic in the park in July 2012. Prosecutors said supporters of rival teams started quarreling, and Laing pulled out a gun and began firing wildly.
The victims survived.
Greg Marius, founder and chief executive officer of Entertainer's Basketball Classic which organizes the tournament, issued a statement on the organization's website following the shooting, saying they were "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 in the 2012 statement. "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 shooting at Rucker Park came just days after a shooting during a charity basketball tournament at the Forest Houses in the Bronx.
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