MALIBU—Scottie Pippen, former Chicago Bulls star has been accused of assaulting an autographer in the famous celebrity-hangout restaurant Nobu in Malibu located on the 22700 block of Pacific Coast Highway. According to reports, Pippen assaulted an autographer around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday June 23, which left the victim with a head injury.
Once Pippen was named as prime suspect in the dispute in Nobu, he voluntarily came forward to the Malibu/Lost Hills sheriff’s station on Monday where he was questioned about the incident. According to Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles Country Sherriff’s office, the case is “complicated” and he approved of Pippen’s “cooperation” regarding the investigation for the case.
The victim was supposedly taking pictures of Pippen and his family as they were dining in the restaurant on Sunday evening, said Sheriff’s captain Patrick Davoren. An argument followed after Pippen found the unidentified person taking more pictures of him and his family in the parking lot. The victim allegedly approached the NBA star to request an autograph.
Investigators claim that violence was followed by the argument that started in the parking lot, but they are also interviewing several witnesses in order to resolve whether Pippen should be charged with assault since there is doubt as to whether he assaulted the man with the intention to cause great physical injury.
Authorities are interviewing multiple witnesses to find out what happened. According to reports, some witnesses have indicated that the victim was intoxicated.
Scottie Pippen, 47, has won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, and he has been named as one of NBA’s greatest players, including being given the honor of being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. He is currently a special adviser to the Bull’s president and he functions as the chief operating officer for the team.
The case is still under investigation, and Whitmore says that there is no schedule as to when the charges would be announced. Anyone with information related to the investigation should contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station at 818-878-1808 or online at LostHills.lasd.org.
By Nashfa Hawwa
