Officer alleging Masai Ujiri assaulted him could press charges: report
Masai Ujiri, President of Basketball Operations of the Toronto Raptors, could face possible charges after an officer questioned his credentials following the Game Six of the NBA Finals, leading to an altercation between the two men.
The incident, which some are calling out as an example of police racism and carding, took place at Oracle Arena just moments after Toronto defeated the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship.
Masai Ujiri… who had reached the peak of his profession seconds before that incident… still can’t escape police racism.
Awful.
— Craig Needles (@NeedlesOnNews) June 14, 2019
NBC Bay Area reports that a witness said Ujiri was attempting to make his way onto the court when he was stopped by a sheriff’s deputy, who claimed he didn’t have the proper credentials displayed.
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It’s also said that Ujiri allegedly struck and shoved the deputy during the altercation.
A video posted by Kristofer Noceda of NBC Bay Area shows a police officer being held back from an individual who is believed to be Ujiri. In the video, it appears Ujiri is holding his credentials in his hand.
According to Katie Nielson, a reporter for KPIX 5 in the Bay Area, the deputy has hired a high profile civil rights attorney David Mastagni to possibly file a lawsuit against Ujiri, the Toronto Raptors organization, and the NBA.
— Katie Nielsen (@KatieKPIX) June 18, 2019
The deputy has been a member of Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years and hasn’t returned to work since the night of the incident after reportedly suffering a concussion and serious jaw injury during the attack, which the deputy claims was “unprovoked.”
Nielson also reports that the deputy informed investigators that he was trying to stop Ujiri from going on the court for post-game celebrations because “he did not know who Ujiri was” and “he was not wearing proper credentials.”
EXCLUSIVE: The deputy who was involved in a physical altercation with Raptors President Masai Ujiri has hired high-profile civil rights attorney David Mastagni to possibly file a lawsuit against @UjiriMasai, the @Raptors, & the @NBA.
— Katie Nielsen (@KatieKPIX) June 18, 2019
Mastagni says the deputy is a 20 year veteran of @ACSOSheriffs & has not been able to return to work since the incident due to a concussion & a serious jaw injury during the “unprovoked attack”.
— Katie Nielsen (@KatieKPIX) June 18, 2019
Following the incident, many took to social media to speak out against the deputy, noting that Ujiri being stopped by a white officer is a prime example of carding and discrimination.
Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri was carded by a local cop just before getting on stage to celebrate a victory that came largely as a result of daring moves he made.
Ujiri tried to make his way passed the officer and a scuffle ensued. #carding #StandWithUjiri
— Ryan Painter (@ryanlpainter) June 15, 2019
Seeing this footage is infuriating! I highly doubt that #MasaiUjiri, one of the most respected people in the NBA, would walk around without showing his credentials. Let’s be frank and call this “carding.” https://t.co/lBcZUyFC5f
— Kimberly (@kimberly_lyn) June 15, 2019
Carding again. Would the deputy ask a white male for his credentials? probably not. American police always ready to attack black males
Raptors president Masai Ujiri involved in altercation with police after Game 6 win against Warriors https://t.co/gqso7tnQUa
— Sarah Sasha (@Sarahsulwey) June 14, 2019
The Oakland Police ought to apologize to Masai Ujiri for not recognizing his legitimacy and right to walk on the court after his team won the NBA Championship. The fact Mr Ujiri had to prove that he belongs there is insulting. Good on Kyle Lowry for the instincts to step in. https://t.co/HKNEK1irL1
— Mitzie Hunter (@MitzieHunter) June 15, 2019
Oakland cop: Masai Ujiri didn’t produce a credential and struck our officer
Masai Ujiri: Quite literally holding his credential during videotaped incident in question and seconds later on the court pic.twitter.com/xtJIb0GZaw
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) June 14, 2019
Masai Ujiri makes millions a year, developed the NBA champion Raptors, and is on the court at the NBA Finals.
You think cops care to think beyond the fact that he’s Black… https://t.co/18VwswBnUj
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) June 14, 2019
Mastagni says the deputy was focused on credentials and not Ujiri’s race and said that “the deputy has African American family members.”
“This is a case about a credential or no credential not a case about race,” said Mastagni.
The deputy’s attorney says this was only about credentials, not race – adding the deputy has African American family members. He says the stories painting the deputy as a racist are “adding insult to injury”.
— Katie Nielsen (@KatieKPIX) June 18, 2019
Nielson says the Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern watched a body camera video of the incident between the deputy and Ujiri and “fully supports the deputy” and is recommending the case move to the District Attorney for “criminal charges of misdemeanour battery of a police officer against Ujiri.”
Nielson said the body camera and the security footage is part of the investigation and is not being released.
In a statement, the Raptors said they are “fully cooperating with authorities” and “look forward to resolving the situation.”
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