Cops: Illinois Basketball Player Leron Black Arrested For Pulling A Knife On A Bouncer

Sophomore Illinois forward Leron Black was arrested late Thursday night in Urbana after he threatened a bouncer at Canopy Club during a Lil Durk show. Witnesses and police report that Black, 20, pulled a knife and was threatening club security personnel with it after they moved to eject Black and his friends. He was charged with aggravated assault the next day, a Class 4 felony, but Black plead not guilty.

The Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette that Black was leaving the scene when he was detained. A patrol car was passing by, when security outside the club flagged him down:

[University of Illinois police lieutenant Tom] Geis said the security guard told police that Black and others were inside the club and that security was trying to remove people when “Black became very belligerent and hostile toward the security guard,” Geis said.

“(Black) yelled ‘I don’t have a strap but I’m not afraid to cut somebody,’ ” Geis said. “Then the security guard said he pulled the knife, opened it and put it within 1 to 2 inches of his nose.

Black was the only one arrested in the incident. Illinois State’s Attorney Julia Reitz said, “He has no prior criminal offenses, so he could be eligible for diversion programs.” Black was already sitting out the year with an injury, but he has also been indefinitely suspended from the team, per Illini coach John Groce.

Photo via AP