Man involved in scuffle with Rajon Rondo released: NBA News
The Haverhill citizen Eric Valarezo, who was arrested on account of taking a swing at the NBA Champion Rajon Rondo at a Lowell night club in Massachusetts, was released on Tuesday on the guarantee of a personal acquaintance.
The 31-year-old Eric was handcuffed on Saturday at Brian’s Ivy Hall when he attempted to punch Rondo. On Monday, he was taken to the court where he stated that he is innocent as Boston Celtics’ point guard pushed him first and
his reaction was in self defence. The prosecutor however asked for some more time to investigate the matter thoroughly and the case was continued.
According to police reports, Rondo came at the Lowell club on Friday night with his fellow NBA players which included Josh Smith of Atlanta Hawks and Nate Robinson of Oklahoma City Thunder. During the closing time of the club
at around 2 am, Rondo was about to make an exit from the club when Eric Valarezo took a swing at the NBA player.
The manager of the club Kevin Hayhurst told that extra police officers and security officials were deployed due to the arrival of the NBA players and they immediately pinned down Eric to the ground. Nobody was injured in the scene
which lasted for roughly 30 seconds before police took Eric in custody.
Kevin Hayhurst confirmed that Rondo didn’t consume alcohol on the night and Eric Valarezo wasn’t intoxicated either.
“[Rondo] was pretty shy. He just sat in the corner drinking Fiji Water. He wasn’t signing anything or taking any pictures with anyone.” Kevin Hayhurst said.
However Valarezo denied the reports and stated that he didn’t even know that it was Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. Eric argued that he was at the club to celebrate his friend’s birthday and Rajon first pushed him.
“He basically assaulted me by pushing me. I pushed him back in defence, and he started swinging at me. Basically, I didn’t even know it was him. [Rondo] should have been arrested.” Eric Valarezo said.
Eric further asserted that only because Rajon Rondo is a celebrity, he was not arrested and everybody thinks that he was the culprit.
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