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Monday, December 27, 1999
Puffy Combs arrested on gun charge
Jennifer Lopez also arrested, but prosecutors drop charges
By Donna De La Cruz
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Rap mogul Sean ``Puffy'' Combs was arrested and charged with weapons possession Monday after police allegedly found a stolen pistol in his car as he and actress-singer Jennifer Lopez left a nightclub where three people were shot and wounded.
Ms. Lopez was also arrested, but prosecutors dropped charges against her ``based on the evaluation of the evidence,'' spokesman Wayne Brison said.
Three people were wounded in the 2 a.m. shooting in a trendy Times Square dance spot, the Club NY. Police said the shots were fired by a 19-year-old man who was found outside the club. He was charged with attempted murder.
A short time after the shooting, Combs, 30, and Ms. Lopez, 29, left the club in a 1999 Lincoln Navigator belonging to Combs' recording company, Bad Boy Records.
The sport utility vehicle was stopped because the couple had left the scene of a crime, said Detective John Giammarino, a police spokesman. The car ran at least one red light before it finally pulled over about 10 blocks from the club, he added.
A gun was found in full view on the front right seat; Combs and Ms. Lopez were in the back seat, with a driver and bodyguard in the front. A police source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the gun had been reported stolen from Georgia. Combs was also charged with possession of stolen property.
The driver, Warden Fenderson, and bodyguard, Anthony Jones, also were charged with criminal possession of a gun and of stolen property. Jones also was charged with possession of marijuana and a controlled substance.
``Sean Combs and Jennifer Lopez had absolutely, positively nothing to do with this shooting,'' said Combs' spokesman, Dan Klores.
``The gun was neither my client's, nor Ms. Lopez's. Both of them unwittingly got into a car to escape a life-threatening situation and they are mere victims of circumstance — in the wrong place at the wrong time.''
Ms. Lopez did not say anything to reporters or fans as she left a police station Monday afternoon and was driven away. Combs was still in custody Monday evening.
Lopez's attorney, Lawrence Ruggiero, said she fully cooperated with authorities during more than 10 hours of questioning. ``Jennifer Lopez does not own a firearm nor does she condone the use of firearms,'' he said in a statement.
Police said the shots were fired by Jamal Barrow, a little-known rapper also known as Shine who was found outside the club with a pistol.
Two of the victims were in stable condition Monday, and the third refused medical attention.
Combs, a rapper and producer, and Ms. Lopez, who is best known for her roles in ``Selena'' and ``Out of Sight,'' have been dating.
Combs was arrested in April for allegedly beating record executive Steven Stoute, who suffered a broken arm and a broken jaw. Stoute said the rapper was one of three assailants. Originally charged with assault, Combs pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, harassment, and was ordered to undergo counseling.
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