Fan punches referee in face during girls high school basketball game
A fan punched a referee in the face during an argument at a girls junior-varsity high school basketball game in Raytown, Miss. on Thursday.
Dwan Lamont Marshall Jr., 21, was arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct after walking onto the court and punching referee Dallas Bryant, 33, knocking him to the ground, according to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star. Bryant was later taken to the hospital.
Marshall's father, Dwan Marshall Sr., was also at the game and told police it all started after his daughter, who was playing, was scolded by Bryant for tossing the ball along the sideline instead of handing it to him at the end of the first quarter.
An argument ensued between Bryant, Marshall Sr., and several others in the crowd over their dissatisfaction with Bryant's calls throughout the game. Bryant said he told the fans to stop arguing unless they wanted "to watch the game from the parking lot," after which he said he was "sucker-punched," according to the police report.
Marshall Sr. said Bryant whispered, "I bet you won't be discussing no elbow call in the parking lot," which his son perceived as a threat, the report states.
An off-duty police officer who was working security at the time of the incident noted in the report that while he was interviewing a witness, Marshall Jr. told him, "I regret punching the ref in the face. It was an emotional response. I shouldn't have done it. I'm sorry."
- With h/t to Deadspin