Local man arrested at Jets game
A Moncks Corner man faces charges after police said he injured three people, including a U.S. Marine, with a stun gun during an upper-deck brawl at Sunday night's Cowboys-Jets game in New Jersey.
The incident made international news, raising concerns over security in public places on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Leroy McKelvey, 59, is charged with felony aggravated assault, felony possession of a stun gun and illegal possession of a weapon, according to multiple published reports. He was released from the Bergen County Jail on $22,500 bail.
A Marine reportedly became annoyed with McKelvey, who was wearing a Cowboys jersey, because he and several friends refused to take their hats off or stand for the national anthem. McKelvey and friends also refused to keep quiet during the pre-game ceremony that included Taps and "Amazing Grace," the New York Daily News reported.
When McKelvey tried to get out of his aisle to go to the restroom at halftime, the Marine wouldn't let him out, witnesses told police. McKelvey pulled a stun gun about the size of a cell phone from his pocket and fired, striking the Marine and sending him tumbling down six rows, N.J. Police Sgt. Julian Castellanos told the Daily News. The Marine and two others who were hit were not seriously injured, according to reports from the stadium.
The sports-news website Deadspin posted a cellphone video of the fight. One fan can be heard asking, "How did he get in here with that thing?"
It's illegal to carry a stun gun in New Jersey or New York. There are no laws against them in South Carolina.
Security for the game included bomb-sniffing dogs checking every car that entered. Fans also were patted down and had their bags checked.
McKelvey's son, New York DJ Charlamagne Tha God of "The Breakfast Club," told the Daily News his father didn't stand during the national anthem because he's a Jehovah Witness. He also said his father was carrying a stun gun because Jets Coach Rex Ryan told the press before the game that "it's probably not recommended that you wear Cowboys stuff."
