INDIANAPOLIS — Several sources, including ESPN and TMZ, have indicated that former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has been seriously injured in a stabbing in downtown Indianapolis early Saturday morning.
The person who allegedly stabbed Sanchez is claiming self-defense while calling the former NFL quarterback the aggressor in the encounter, according to information obtained by FOX59/CBS4.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reports that just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a report of a person shot. IMPD says two men were involved in an altercation, with one man receiving “lacerations” and the other sustaining injuries consistent with stab wounds.
At the hospital, Sanchez was arrested for his role in the incident, IMPD confirmed Saturday. He’s charged with battery, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — which are all misdemeanors. Though he’s been charged, he remains hospitalized.
FOX59/CBS4 obtained additional information about the incident, however, including the account of the individual involved in the stabbing incident with Sanchez.
According to this source, the stabbing took place near Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery. Sanchez was allegedly stabbed in the chest, taken to the hospital for surgery, and is the individual listed as being in critical condition by police, sources say.
The second individual also reportedly had “significant injuries” and claimed Sanchez was the aggressor in the incident and that he was merely defending himself with a knife.
According to FOX59/CBS4 sources, Sanchez wasn’t cooperative with responding police officers.
The second individual involved in the incident reportedly told police he was making a food delivery when Sanchez told him to leave and that he couldn’t park in the alley. The victim claimed Sanchez became aggressive and used pepper spray. This is when the individual claimed to stab Sanchez in self-defense.
It is important to note that FOX59/CBS4 sources said that Sanchez has not yet given his account of how events unfolded.
Sanchez was scheduled to broadcast the Colts vs. Raiders game at Lucas Oil Stadium with FOX Sports on Sunday.
Sanchez, a 38-year-old former New York Jets quarterback, starred at USC from 2005 to 2008 and was selected fifth overall by the Jets in the 2009 NFL Draft.
FOX59/CBS4 reached out to FOX Sports, who responded with the following statement.
Mark Sanchez was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition. We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.
-FOX Sports
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
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