Halifax Thunderbirds player suspended by team after video shows fans attack in Colorado

A Halifax lacrosse player has been suspended by his team after video of a violent altercation between him and spectators at a game last week is making the rounds on social media.

The Halifax Thunderbirds, based out of Nova Scotia, lost 19-14 to the Colorado Mammoth in a National Lacrosse League game Dec. 21 in Denver.

Fan video shows the Halifax team walking out after the loss towards their dressing room. Fans are lined up on the sides and booing the team – with one person holding up a middle finger as they all jeer.

The story continues below the ad

In the video, a player later identified as Tyson Bell is shown throwing a punch towards a fan’s head. He also swings the cane at the fan who had held up his middle finger.

For news affecting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you as they happen.

Get the latest national news

For news affecting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you as they happen.

A Denver Police Department report shows Bell was cited for assault with bodily force. The citation alleges the suspect “punched the victim in the face causing minor injury and pain.”

In a brief statement posted on social media platform X on Thursday, the Halifax Thunderbirds wrote that it “has suspended Tyson Bell.”

The altercation has made headlines in sports publications and as far as TMZ and The Sun in the UK.

The story continues below the ad

In a statement, the National Lacrosse League told TMZ they were aware of the incident and had launched an investigation into the matter.

More to come.

© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.