New details in a stabbing incident involving Washington Redskins kick returner Brandon Banks and his childhood friend are prompting the question: were they victims, instigators or both?
Washington Redskins wide receiver and kick returner Brandon Banks and his friend may have started an altercation that sent Banks and his friend to the hospital early Saturday morning.
Surveillance cameras appear to show Banks and his friend, Christopher Nixon, instigating a fight with 24-year-old Jason Shorter, who is accused of stabbing Banks and Nixon outside The Park at 14th nightclub at about 3 a.m. Saturday.
When police arrived at the scene Banks lifted his shirt to reveal his injuries and then identified Shorter as the person who had stabbed him, telling officers that his assailant was dressed in white, NBC Washington's Derrick Ward reported.
Review of security video shows Nixon throwing a punch after Shorter allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket, opened it and, according to court documents, "armed himself by holding it behind his back."
After the punch was thrown, a club bouncer stepped into the fray, but Shorter reached over the bouncer and attacked Nixon with the knife, according to court documents. In the ensuing fight, Banks and Nixon were stabbed repeatedly, Ward reported.
Banks's injuries were more serious than the superficial injuries reported initially, sources told NBC Washington. His agent, James Gould, said Banks remained in a local hospital Monday for precautionary reasons but would likely be released within 24 hours.
Nixon was more seriously injured, with wounds to his face and upper body, according to court documents.
The altercation took place before Banks and Nixon could enter the club.
Shorter was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon. Banks and Nixon could also be charged if investigators determined they caused the incident.
