LAS VEGAS (AP) — After playing in the Pro Bowl on Sunday, Saints running back Alvin Kamara was arrested and accused of beating someone the night before in a Las Vegas nightclub.
Video surveillance shows New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara punching a man approximately eight times before Kamara's associates proceeded to stomp on him several more times on the ground in a Las Vegas casino Saturday morning, according to the police report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, ESPN is reporting.
Kamara was later taken into custody inside Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on Sunday evening after he played in the Pro Bowl. He was interviewed by police and then arrested and charged with battery resulting in substantial bodily harm and booked at the Clark County Detention Center. Kamara was released after posting bail later Sunday night.
The man, who was knocked unconscious, suffered an orbital fracture to his right eye, among other injuries, according to the police report.
ESPN reports that police said the video surveillance matched the man's account. The man said he started a conversation with one member of a group of people while waiting for an elevator as he was leaving the Cromwell Casino at Drais After Dark Club on South Las Vegas Boulevard at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time. When the elevator doors opened, the man started to walk toward the elevator along with the large party. But a man later identified as Kamara put his hand on the victim's chest to stop him.
The man said he then pushed Kamara's hand off his chest, and Kamara pushed back hard enough to cause the man to stumble back. Afterward the man recalled being hit and kicked by multiple people and losing consciousness, ESPN reports.
According to the video surveillance, the man was speaking to a woman before the events occurred as he described. After Kamara pushed the man, one of Kamara's associates punched the man in the face. Then Kamara lunged toward the man and punched him approximately eight times -- including three times after he had fallen to the ground, ESPN reports.
ESPN reports that three others from Kamara's group then began stomping the man in the face, chest and legs. One of Kamara's associates stomped him approximately 16 times, according to the police report. The incident broke up once security arrived, and Kamara and his party were escorted out of the property. Kamara was later identified through video and eyewitness accounts, and he had used his ID and credit card while at the casino. Police met him inside the stadium after Sunday's game and read him his Miranda rights before interviewing him.
Kamara told police that he was with his girlfriend, his assistant and a couple of friends. Kamara said the man called one of his friends ugly while they were waiting for the elevator and then later said, "I'll whup your ass too." Kamara said he saw a fight break out next to him and saw the man get punched. When asked why he punched the man, Kamara indicated that he thought the man was running away and had done something to his group -- so he chased him and punched him several times, ESPN reports, but the police report notes that the video shows that the man was not running away.
Kamara was initially scheduled to have a court appearance Monday afternoon. He also is due in court on the charge on March 8.
Kamara had four catches for 23 yards for the NFC in the game, then was taken into custody and booked at the Clark County Detention Center on charges of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm.
Kamara remained in jail Sunday night. His bail was set at $5,000 and a court hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon, a jail official said.
Las Vegas police say they were dispatched to a hospital Saturday where a person had reported a battery at a nightclub. The police said detectives determined the victim was battered by Kamara.
The Saints and Kamara’s agent didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The 26-year-old Kamara is one of the top running backs in the NFL. He had 1,337 yards from scrimmage and nine TDs this season on the way to being picked for his fifth Pro Bowl in five seasons as a pro.
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