Bullets’ Stewart Shot, Stabbed by Intruders

Larry Stewart, a second-year forward for the Washington Bullets, was shot and stabbed by four intruders who broke into his Relay, Md., home early Friday and tied him up.

Stewart was taken to the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Dr. Roy A.M. Myers, who treated Stewart Friday, said he will recover fully from his wounds. He was released after treatment.

A Baltimore County police spokesman said the intruders ransacked the home where Stewart was sleeping and fled after shooting the 25-year-old athlete in the neck and stabbing him in the thigh.

Police believe the intruders specifically targeted Stewart. They could not determine Friday morning if anything was stolen.

Police said they were called to the home at 4:30 a.m. EST.

Myers said Stewart was shot in the back of the neck, with the bullet entering from the left side of the back of the neck and missing his spinal cord by one inch.

The bullet went through the neck, requiring the doctor to simply clean out the wound and let it drain. Stewart’s neck will be stiff for a while, but he will have no permanent disability, Myers said.

“He was extremely lucky neither injury was fatal or permanently damaging,” Myers said. “I can’t imagine anything more terrifying than being assaulted in your own home.

“At the moment he’s doing fine (emotionally), but who knows how he’ll be when he goes home and relives everything that happened.”

The thigh wound, about one inch deep, required only a few stitches, Myers added.

Stewart, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward, was awaiting surgery on a broken foot. He broke his right foot in a summer-league scrimmage in August and has played in only three games this season. He was activated early last month, but again was placed on the injured list Dec. 27 after re-breaking the foot.

“I was shocked, dismayed,” Bullet Coach Wes Unseld said.

“I understand random acts of violence that go on, and sometimes it’s surprising that guys like him and guys like me aren’t targeted more. It’s a big relief to everyone here that he is going to be OK.”

Said Merle Scott, Stewart’s agent: “He’s fine physically. Emotionally, it’s going to be some time. Right now we’re just getting over the physical part.”

Sgt. Steve Doarnberger of the Baltimore County police said the suspects broke in by shattering a sliding door in the back of the house. They then pulled Stewart from his bed to the floor, bound his hands and feet and shot him.

Doarnberger said police believe the men knew where Stewart lived and that it was not a random robbery.

“I can’t be that specific on a motive,” said Doarnberger, adding that there was no obvious sign of property being stolen.

Bullet guard Bent Price said: “It’s a scary thing now to be in the public’s eye. I don’t know any other reasons behind this and why they got to Larry, but it’s an awakening thing for us as players and his teammates.”

Stewart left the hospital without commenting on the incident. Doarnberger said Stewart could not describe his assailants, but did say that four men were involved.