Washington Redskins punt returner Brandon Banks was one of two people stabbed outside a club in the District at about 3 a.m. Saturday. Banks and a friend got into an argument with another man, and the disagreement escalated to the stabbing, said Officer Istmania Bonilla, a D.C. police spokeswoman. The attack occurred at The Park, a club located at 920 14th St. NW, D.C. fire and emergency services spokesman Pete Piringer said.
“We’re aware of the incident and we’re gathering all the details,” said Tony Wyllie, Redskins senior vice president.
Banks, 23, was taken to the hospital in stable condition. The other victim, who was in critical condition, was described in a statement issued by Banks’ agent Saturday as “a life-long friend.” His name and age were not released by police.
Banks received a surface knife wound that required stitches when he came to the aid of his friend, according to the statement. He was expected to be released by Sunday.
Bonilla said 24-year-old Jason Dacosta Shorter, of Lanham, was arrested in connection with the stabbing. He has been charged with assault with intent to kill.
Police said it wasn’t clear what sparked the argument or whether Banks and the other victim knew Shorter.
Phone calls to the club went unanswered Saturday.
Banks played 13 games for the Redskins last year and recorded 1,586 yards in kick and punt returns. He scored one touchdown.
Also on Saturday, Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was formally charged with simple assault related to allegations that he was involved in a road-rage incident in Reston.
Fairfax County police said Haynesworth, 29, and his attorney appeared at a police station Saturday morning. Haynesworth signed a summons warrant charging him with assault and then left.
The charge stems from a Feb. 2 altercation on the Fairfax County parkway, when a 38-year-old man driving a Honda Civic thought a man driving a pickup truck was tailgaiting. The Civic driver made a “non-verbal hand gesture,” according to police. When the cars stopped at a red light, the pickup truck driver — later identified as Haynesworth — allegedly got out of his vehicle and assaulted the Civic driver.
Staff writer John Keim contributed to this report.
