Marvin Harrison accused of involvement in Philadelphia shooting

by BigBlueShoe on May 2, 2008 4:17 PM EDT in Colts News Comment 49 comments

From AOL Fanhouse's Michael David Smith:

Anthony Gargano of WIP radio in Philadelphia is on ESPN this afternoon reporting that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is accused of being involved in a recent shooting at a bar Harrison owns in Philadelphia.

According to Gargano, police have uncovered a gun registered to Harrison in connection with the incident. His report further states that a fistfight broke out when Harrison escorted a man out of his bar, called Playmakers. When the man fled, gunfire was exchanged. The man's car was struck by a bullet and his hand was grazed, the report said.

Neither Harrison nor anyone else has been arrested in connection with the incident. Gargano reports that police are awaiting witnesses coming forward.

So, just to recap the facts: Marvin Harrison has not been charged, arrested, or convicted of shooting anyone. It also seems that no one was actually shot. He is supposedly accused of having some involvement in it because a gun registered to him is connected to the incident. Was the gun fired? Was it fired by Harrison? Don't know.

Until we do, we (and just about every other logic-minded person on the planet) will give Marvin the benefit of the doubt until details surface. The last time Marvin was accused of something wrong (attacking a small kid), it turned out to be a total and complete lie. So, we wait for the facts.

UPDATE: From nicjohns:

The man the shots were intended for told police that Harrison was not the shooter, but reportedly there is an innocent bystander hit by a stray bullet in the shoulder who is willing to testify that Harrison was the shooter.

This all coming from the same Anthony Gargono, the best part was him saying someone claimed when the fist fight took place at the bar Harrison beat him pretty good claiming his “hands were almost ninja like”.

Quick note: People coming in here claiming Marvin Harrison is a thug ala Pacman Jones will get their comments deleted. Saying such things is akin to trolling, and comparing Marvin Harrison to Pacman Jones on ANY level is stupidity defined.

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Ok wow...

I’ve been studying all day, trying to avoid the internet but my friend just called and told me the news. Here is what ESPN is REPORTING.

The source said the alleged victim came into the bar, Playmakers, around 5 p.m. and engaged in an argument with Harrison, who was at the bar. The victim then left the bar, heading to his car, with Harrison following. Gunfire broke out, the victim was hit in the hand, and a young girl was slightly injured by flying glass from a car that apparently was hit by a bullet.
Police came to scene, but the victim did not identify a shooter. On Wednesday, according to the source, ballistic tests showed that the gun that had fired the shots was a custom-made Belgian weapon, and police determined that Harrison owned such a gun.

Police then went to a Philadelphia car wash owned by Harrison to question him about the gun. Harrison admitted owning such a weapon, but claimed it never left his suburban Philadelphia home.

However, the source said the gun was discovered in a bucket at the car wash, and tests showed that it had fired seven bullets that matched those found at the scene.

The source said police were contacted Friday by an attorney representing a second alleged victim in the shooting, and police are now waiting for that individual to come forward.

Harrison has NOT YET BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME.

I want to note that it is very early in the investigation. We don’t know anything besides shots were fired. The story will develop over the next couple of days, so everyone should wait before rushing to a judgement.

by the21eraser on May 2, 2008 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

omg

wow, unbelievable

by yellowsnow on May 2, 2008 4:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

too bad

good luck getting Marvin to talk…

by DoTheMathis98 on May 2, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lmao!!!

by MarkFive05 on May 2, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

mild mannered

Marvin is surely too calm and mild mannered to have done this. i guess when keeping it all in you gotta let it out sometime.

i will reserve my judgement

by skywalker on May 2, 2008 5:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A charge is likely

According to ESPN, in Philadelphia, if you own a gun that is involved in a crime then you are automatically charged. So even if Marvin wasn’t the shooter, which I am sure he isn’t because he is way too smart for that, if it was his gun he could still be charged.

=(  I really hope this is resolved quickly and Marvin is proved innocent.  I just can't imagine he would be involved in something like this.

by Endo on May 2, 2008 5:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Uh Oh

I’m really nervous about this. We don’t need any distractions during the season.

coltshomer.blogspot.com

by Colts Homer on May 2, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A .50 Cal?

A man of Marvin’s size shooting a .50 Cal? I don’t buy it. That is the same caliber as a Desert Eagle, and that would send a 185 lbs. man, football player or not, on his ass. I don’t see Marvin getting off 7 shots in any kind of a short duration with this kind of gun. I think in the end we’ll see this as someone maybe protecting Marvin and the victim not giving up all the facts(i.e. he had a gun). You definitely have to give a guy like Marvin the benefit of the doubt. But now we can just wait for some KSK writeup or same jack ass Bengals or Patriots fan to come in here and say “OOOH! Look at the Colts! Bunch of Thugs! Just like the Pacers!” Which sucks. Here’s hoping that this is resolved quickly.

I also blog at Speed Blue Nation

by Bullard47 on May 2, 2008 5:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The the thread on Mocking the Draft

where BBS and some Cowboys fans got into it yesterday. One of them is jawing about it.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 2, 2008 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'd have no problem.

I’m not saying he did it but Marvin would have no problem shooting a .50 caliber handgun. You make it sound as if he’s a little boy or something. I’m probably only about 200 pounds and have shot plenty of handguns(grew up on a farm, I’m a bit of a hick I’ll admit it). I had a friend call me and tell me about this and I laughed at him because I thought he was joking. Can’t wait til this gets resolved.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on May 2, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a grown man

I’m 225 lbs, 6’2”, and military trained. The first time I shot a .50 cal pistol, I almost cracked my head open. It is not shooting the kind of pistol you chase ‘coons out of your paws farm with. This is a gun that can make you chest disappear(or you back, actually) if shot by an expert. If this were a Glock .22 or a 9mm, I could see Marvin with it. But that gun would be huge and obviously present on his person if he carried it.

But, I too want this resolved as soon as possible.

I also blog at Speed Blue Nation

by Bullard47 on May 2, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

?

You do realize that the size of the cartrige in a .50 handgun is completely different to that used in a rifle, or a machine gun. .50 cal hanguns have a good amount of kick, don’t get me wrong. But they come equipped with springs in the slide to absorb some of it for a reason. Someone Marvin’s size could handle it with relative ease. Besides, he seems to be somewhat of a gun connoisseur when it comes to guns.

by KingRichard on May 2, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

er… somewhat of a gun connoisseur. Ignore that rest of that sentence. =P

by KingRichard on May 2, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To support my case. I have a friend who is 5’6”, and 150 lbs soaking wet. He owns multiple .50 caliber handguns, one of which is a S&W Model 500; a revolver mind you.

by KingRichard on May 2, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For those of you that are curious, it’s the exact model that Dirt Harry lugged around.

And with that I’ll stop my post spamming.

by KingRichard on May 2, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

50 caliber?

How different is the .50 cal handgun from a standard military issue Colt .45? My first year at Annapolis when they lined us up at the pistol range, I had plenty of untrained, under 125lb female classmates squeezing off a clipful into targets. They probably struggled and yes they had instructors, but they weren’t 185lb professional athlete gun collectors. Safe to assume Marvin could handle most any firearm.

Of course, I’d prefer that he didn’t….. This is one screwy case. Three days and a ton of conflicting information. I don’t trust agents or lawyers, who have vested interest in their clients’ innocence, to tellthe whole truth to the media. But I also find it hard to believe Marvin would sit in his car wash and tell the cops “No sir, my gun never left my house. Oh hey, what’s in that bucket under your chair…? Looks like my custom Belgian piece….” Come on, nobody’s THAT stupid.

by Bobman on May 3, 2008 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

If an NFL player isn’t badass enough to fire it, then who would be?

by the21eraser on May 2, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I used shotguns

to chase dem dere coons outta dat trees. Haha. I still have to disagree, while I haven’t shot a .50 cal I’ve shot a .44 mag and I can’t believe it’s that much more of a kick. If you almost cracked your head open you had to be doing something wrong or your a weak and frail man (just kidding). I’ll respectfully disagree with you and agree with King Richard on this one that Marvin could easily shoot a .50 caliber.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on May 3, 2008 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To all the replies

Maybe it is a characteristic of the Desert Eagle, but I stand by my assessment based on that one experience. A .50 Cal pistol would still be too large for a person of Marvin’s build to carry on his person unnoticed more than likely.

I also blog at Speed Blue Nation

by Bullard47 on May 3, 2008 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NFL Gun Policy

NFL gun policy

While police investigate whether Marvin Harrison was involved in a Philadelphia-area shooting, the NFL’s policy on guns is clear: “Be careful and understand the risks.”

The league policy says a player can not possess a gun or other weapon performing any service for his team or the NFL. In Harrison’s case, he was not involved in any NFL related function. He owns a bar and a car wash.

The policy advises: “If you legally possess a weapon, you must understand the local, state and federal laws that apply.’‘

Weapons laws are different in each state, and this is where Harrison - even if he’s not involved in the shooting - could face problems. In Pennsylvania, the owner of a weapon involved in the shooting can be charged in the crime. If police legally determine the handgun belongs to Harrison, he could be charged with at least a misdemeanor.

If that is the case, Harrison could face NFL discipline, which could result in a suspension. According to the policy: “If you violate a public law covering weapons - for example, possession of an unlicensed firearm - you are not only subject to discipline, including suspension from playing, but also subject to criminal prosecution.’‘

by skywalker on May 2, 2008 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Levels

He won’t be suspended if he was not the shooter. A fine would be more likely for owning a gun.

coltshomer.blogspot.com

by Colts Homer on May 2, 2008 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Read

The law in Pennsylvania is different. Their law says the owner of a registered firearm that is involved in a violent crime can be charged in connection with said crime. It’s a soft-anti-gun law that “discourages” people from owning weapons by making them fear the consequences if someone were to take the gun and use it for illegal purposes.

I also blog at Speed Blue Nation

by Bullard47 on May 2, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Take

http://coltshomer.blogspot.com/2008/05/remember-this-is-alleged.html

coltshomer.blogspot.com

by Colts Homer on May 2, 2008 6:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

w
t
f

Please tell me this is all just a joke.

by KingRichard on May 2, 2008 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it me....

or does everything being reported, from the fact Harrison was at a bar to the whole shooting, seem completely unreal. Benefit of the doubt?? Hell, I need video to convince me!!

-TSG

www.milehighreport.com

by John Bena (aka TheSportsGuru) on May 2, 2008 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Bar Part

isn’t surprising since apparently he owns it. However, it was 5 PM, so it isn’t like he’s out clubbing all night.

The gun information Bullard posted makes me less nervous.

coltshomer.blogspot.com

by Colts Homer on May 2, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guns

Just know that I am saying it is not possible, just not likely. I know he is an athlete, and obviously a man with a taste in guns, but that does not mean he is trained to carry and shoot this kind of weapon(which no one with a Wonderlic score higher than Vince Young would carry for self defense, it would be asinine). Now until I know more about this particular, custom-made, weapon, I can’t say anything for sure. The only .50 cal pistol I am familiar with is the Desert Eagle, and that gun is ridiculous. Maybe the Belgians could make a more subtle version of the Israeli terror.

I also blog at Speed Blue Nation

by Bullard47 on May 2, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

I’m familiar with no guns, so that’s good to hear.

coltshomer.blogspot.com

by Colts Homer on May 2, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's probably screwed

i lived in philly a few summers ago and that bar is a pretty rough part of town. it is highly possible that this dude, who apparently served 10 years on a homicide charge and had caused problems at the bar before, strolled in as early as 5 and thing got out of hand. if marvin is listed as the gun owner and they tie the bullets and some crime to the gun, he’s very, very screwed. perhaps his celebrity status will get him off, but i doubt it.

this is just really disappointing. the report said he owns 25 guns. 25! what the f**k? none of this looks good, but if he is slinging guns and shooting at people, former murderers or not, he deserves to be punished and tossed out of the league. let’s wait and see how this all shakes down. i hope gonzo is at home reading his playbook.

by tenyardfight on May 2, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

but then..

if he is guilty, cincy will probably want him and we can trade for chad johnson.

just kidding. i really do hope this all gets sorted out with marvin on the good end of things.

by tenyardfight on May 2, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The first one to make a silent assassin joke gets kicked in the face

This is shocking. I think I speak for everyone in saying that this just seems way too out of character to be something serious, but we’ll see.

Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.

by JakeTheSnake on May 2, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ummm...

physically assaulting women and being involved in some melee where a bouncer ends up paralyzed is not as bad as firing shots where no one is seriously injured? i don’t think one is better than the other to be honest with you. we do know that something like this seems odd from marvin (and of course, perfectly in line with the dipshit known as pacman) and it is interesting that the police have repeated that he is not charged nor is he a suspect in the shooting; at this point, ,he has just been interviewed as part of the investigation.

your team signed pacman because the cowboys are a pack of morons who are desperately doing anything possible to try and win a playoff game with choke-o romo, t. “the drop” o., and those other dudes that don’t show up in big games. the perennial question is “how will the cowboys choke in the playoffs this year?”, not how far they will go.

by tenyardfight on May 2, 2008 11:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Broseph, don’t even waste your time. Call him a moron and just wait for BBS to ban him.

by KingRichard on May 2, 2008 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, you're right

i have to stay home all weekend and work, so i’m cranky. plus he’s a cowboys fan and that’s never a good thing.

by tenyardfight on May 2, 2008 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, that sounds like the Colts pre-2006

who were called choke artists by everyone not a Colts homer.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 3, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pre-2006

The Colts pre-2006 had actually won playoff games. The Cowboys have not won a PLAYOFF GAME since Bill Clinton first term as President.

Slightly different circumstances, Terry.

Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on May 3, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Banhammer? Yes please.

by KingRichard on May 3, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

The Colts had an MVP at quarterback, there were no chemistry issues with the team, our receivers didn’t cry, and we didn’t trade high draft picks for felons. Sorry. The Cowboys are real choke artists.

coltshomer.blogspot.com

by Colts Homer on May 3, 2008 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh really??

Lets see, Romo had better numbers than Manning his first 2 years starting at QB, don’t know what the hell you’re talking about with chemistry issues because all the Cowboys love each other as teammates, the crying WR proves that, and I don’t think a 4th rd pick is high.

Sorry bud, the Colts are every bit the choke artists, and this year proved it.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 6, 2008 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

if a decimated Colts team (at one point playing 4 rookies on the D Line) barely losing to San Diego is considered “choking,” what does that say about the Cowboys’ playoff loss?

by ctnyc on May 6, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

being honest

let’s be honest, what’s the difference? we played the majority of last year without him anyways, and we seemed to be just fine… with the whole year of gonzo going for him, and dallas clark with some developable help why would it make a difference?
i know, i know. if marvin returns to full health, a huge difference. but there is some reason to this.

that being said, if he’s proven innocent, and he had nothing to do with it, good. i am glad because i don’t believe he’s the type of person for this. however, it’s football, not lifeball. let him go, take the opp for the next 5-6 years left and continue the dominance. he was essentially done after this year. if not last year. just being honest.

by carolinacolt on May 3, 2008 12:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am in total shock

with this story. I hope and prey that Marvin was doing this for the good of the people in the bar, himself, and did it to defend himself from whatever transpired between he and the man.

I am just at a lose for words when i read this headline

by metal_militia on May 3, 2008 12:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't get it...

Was Marvin the shooter? That’s just not like him at all…

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on May 3, 2008 1:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

7 rounds fired in self defense?

That’s another dubious point. Did the other guy get off any shots? Who fires 7 rounds in self defense? Who is this victim, Rasputin? A cannon like that… I’d say one round would be enough to chase somebody off if you miss, and enough to blow an arm off if you hit him right. It just makes no sense. What sane person shoots at another guy middle of the day after having a very public altercation with him? (Add that the sane person is a wealthy celebrity, might not be Einstein but he’s mature, not a hood, and has been educated.) Something is so clearly wrong, but what the heck is going on? This is like a bad setup in a lame TV crime drama; Columbo will come out of retirement to solve this open and shut case.

by Bobman on May 3, 2008 2:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NFL.com

This article from NFL.com makes me feel alot better about the situation. Im sure Marvin is not involved in this shooting.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8081db00&template=without-video&confirm=true

Harrison interviewed by police about shooting in Philadelphia

Associated Press
Marvin Harrison was interviewed by police about a North Philadelphia shooting.

PHILADELPHIA—Indianapolis Colts star receiver Marvin Harrison was interviewed by police about a North Philadelphia shooting this week.

Lt. Frank Vanore said the investigation of the shooting outside a bar Tuesday was continuing. Harrison has not been arrested or charged.

“He was interviewed,” Vanore said Friday. “Why he was interviewed, that is all part of the investigation. No one is a suspect.”

Vanore told WCAU-TV the shooting occurred near 25th and Thompson streets, near a car wash owned by Harrison and about a half-mile from a bar also owned by the All-Pro receiver.

Harrison’s agent Tom Condon says his client was not involved in the shooting, reports NFL Network’s Adam Schefter. Condon said reports of Harrison’s involvement in the shooting are “erroneous” and the receiver is not the subject of any investigation. Harrison’s attorney will address the situation publicly Saturday.

After the first day of their rookie minicamp, Colts coach Tony Dungy said he knew little more than had been reported.

“My phone has been ringing, too, but I don’t have any details,” Dungy said. “I really don’t have any more information than you do.”

"We have no credible information at this time, and we will not comment until we do,” Colts president Bill Polian said in a statement released by the team.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is aware of the report and is “looking into it.”

Harrison has played his entire 12-season career with the Colts and is the franchise’s record-holder in every major receiving category – receptions (1,042), yards (13,944), touchdowns (123) and 100-yard games (59). The 35-year-old is one of only four players in league history to top 1,000 receptions.

But after eight consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, last season was the most frustrating of Harrison’s career.

He injured his left knee against Denver on Sept. 30, finished with 20 receptions for 247 yards and one TD and missed all but five games.

Team president Bill Polian said in February that Harrison was recovering from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and had been rehabilitating the inflamed capsule in his left knee. He was not expected to be completely healthy for the start of the Colts training camp July 24.

by skywalker on May 3, 2008 4:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey gang

Sod the rivalry, Marvin’s a good dude and a stand up guy. Hopefully, this gets resolved soon .

by MaPatsFan on May 3, 2008 8:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marvin's agent says the report is erroneous

According to FanHouse.

I’d take that with a large grain of salt though, seeing as how he’s an agent.

Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.

by JakeTheSnake on May 3, 2008 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

.50 Cal...

This is what a .50 cal pistal can do…

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WvVybyMr4KQ

by MasterRWayne on May 3, 2008 10:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

to add to the gun discussion

I was trying to figure out what kind of gun it might’ve been and other than it being a true custom, one of a kind basically, there are not many options at all for a .50cal Belgian pistol. I think it’s more likely it was an FN five seven (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-seveN) and some reporter assumed from the name it was a .50 and that’s what’s been reported since. Unloading half a clip of a .50 cal in broad daylight as has already been said, just doesn’t really make sense (not that any of this makes sense).

just thought i’d throw this in there since we seem to be discussing guns as much as we’re discussing marvin ;)

and i really hope this gets cleared up soon, marvin is one of the last guys id ever expect this from and i too just find it hard to believe, and optimistically believe he had no role in the shooting

by jochexum on May 3, 2008 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs