National Football League

Victim claims 'ambush' by McClain?

Published Dec. 2, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Alabama man who claims Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain pointed a gun at his head and fired it just inches from his ear told a local television station he was ambushed by the NFL player and a friend.

Rishard Papscott, 23, told WAFF-TV he grew up playing football and basketball with McClain and his friend Jerradius Willingham in Decatur, northern Alabama.

Papscott said he was invited to a friend's house Wednesday night where McClain and Willingham were waiting for him.

"I went over there, it was basically like an ambush, like they set me up to fight, because as soon as I got there they all went outside and I was sitting in the house," Papscott told WAFF-TV. "That's when they came back in the house and they were like, 'You're going to have to fight, come back out and fight.' I was like 'I ain't fighting, I ain't coming outside,' and that's when [Willingham] came in the house and assaulted me."

According to The Decatur Daily, Papscott told police Willingham began slapping him after he refused to fight. The alleged victim then said he went outside where both Willingham and McClain began punching him, leaving him with a broken nose, swollen eyes and a concussion.

Papscott told police he then crawled to his car at which point McClain "produced a pistol and aimed it at him." Papscott said McClain walked up to him while he was still on the ground, put the gun to his head and threatened to kill him.

He then alleged McClain lifted the gun away slightly and pulled the trigger within inches of Papscott's head.

Decatur Police spokesman Lt. John Crouch said Papscott was bleeding from the nose and mouth when he spoke to officers Wednesday night. He reportedly refused medical treatment at the scene, but later drove himself to a local hospital where he was treated and released.

McClain, 22, was arrested and charged Thursday for discharging a firearm within city limits, third-degree assault, and menacing and reckless endangerment. He was later released on $2,000 bail. Willingham, 23, was charged with third-degree assault and released on $500 bond.

McClain's attorney, Billy C. Burney II, issued as statement Friday saying his client was innocent.

"We are confident that Mr. McClain will be cleared of all charges," Burney said.

Police said they were unable to recover any shell casings from the scene, but multiple neighbors reported hearing a single shot being fired, including the neighbor who called 911.

The Raiders have refused to discuss the matter, issuing a statement Thursday that said, "We are aware of the incident. At this time, we have no further comment."

Head coach Hue Jackson told reporters Thursday that McClain was in Alabama to attend his grandfather's funeral.

Wednesday's incident was the second time McClain has been linked to gunshots in his hometown in the last year.

In January, McClain was driving in Decatur when an unknown individual fired at his vehicle. Police discovered a bullet lodged in the rear passenger door of McClain's Chevy Tahoe. He was unharmed in the incident.