Cardinals Fan Shoots Raiders Fan Outside of Game
By Corey Licht, Esq. on August 30, 2012
Nearly a year after shootings broke out at a Raiders-49ers game, a Raiders fan has been shot outside of a Cardinals game, AZfamily.com reports.
According to authorities, 57-year-old Michael Horan shot 29-year-old Chris Knight near the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Police believe the shooting may have been in self-defense.
Horan, a former police officer, attended the Aug. 17 game with his wife. After leaving the game early, the couple became involved in an altercation with Knight in the stadium’s parking lot. The incident culminated with Horan shooting Knight, authorities say.
Knight was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to his family, he was shot in the eye and had to have it removed.
Earlier in the night, employees working the parking lot were told that a man in silver face paint was aggressively approaching fans attempting to leave the lot. Knight was reportedly wearing silver face paint at the time of the incident and may have been drunk.
Horan could be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Under Arizona’s criminal code, a person may be convicted of aggravated assault if he commits an assault that causes serious physical injury or that involved the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon.
However, if it’s true that the shooting was in self-defense, Horan may be able to avoid a conviction. Under Arizona’s self-defense law, a person may use deadly force to defend himself or others. However, the person must reasonably believe that the use of deadly force is necessary to protect against imminent harm.
Glendale detectives are still investigating the Cardinals-Raiders shooting. Once they’re finished, they’ll submit their findings to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for possible charges.
http://phoenixcriminallawnews.com/2012/08/cardinals-fan-shoots-raiders-fan-outside-of-game.html?DCMP=NWL-cons_sportslaw