Scottie Pippen questioned over Nobu Malibu fight [Updated]

[Update, 4:45 p.m.] Despite being released after initial questioning, Scottie Pippen remains a suspect in an alleged assault outside of Nobu restaurant in Malibu on Sunday evening, according to Malibu/Lost Hills Capt. Patrick Davoren. 

Pippen, who does not live in Malibu, was dining at the restaurant with his family when a fan apparently began snapping photos of the six-time NBA champion, Davoren said. As Pippen left the restaurant, the fan approached him outside in the parking lot and an apparent altercation ensued.

“The victim is alleging that he was assaulted by Scottie Pippen,” Davoren said.

The Los Angeles Times reported the alleged victim appeared to be intoxicated when the altercation occurred. 

The man was taken to a local hospital “for observation,” according to Davoren. He was released Monday morning. The extent of his injuries were unclear, though a press release sent out Monday afternoon said the victim suffered a “head injury.”

Pippen has been fully cooperative during the investigation, Davoren said. 

Davoren said investigators still planned on interviewing the victim and “two or three” people who witnessed the incident in the parking lot. Investigators also planned on requesting surveillance footage from Nobu management. However, one worker at Nobu told The Malibu Times that Nobu does not have surveillance cameras in its parking lot. 

“We’re getting different stories from different perspectives,” Davoren said. “We’ll just have to see how it pans out.”

Former NBA star Scottie Pippen was questioned Monday afternoon in an investigation over an apparent fight that took place in front of Nobu Restaurant in Malibu on Sunday night, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  

Despite reports of an arrest, Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said Pippen was released after questioning on Monday.

“He was not arrested and he will not be arrested,” Whitmore said.

Pippen was tied to allegations that he assaulted a man “with intent to commit great bodily injury” outside of the Larry Ellison-owned restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway near the Malibu Pier, according to the Sheriff’s Department. 

TMZ reported Pippen allegedly “brutalized an autograph seeker” and “punched him in the face and kicked him repeatedly” around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

One man was taken to a local hospital to be treated for a head injury, according to the Sheriff’s department. The man was treated and released Monday morning.

“Witness statements indicate that Scottie Pippen was one of the combatants in the altercation and is currently a named suspect for a charge of assault with intent to commit great bodily injury,” a press release from the Sheriff’s Department said. The release was sent out at 1:54 p.m. Monday, but a short time later Whitmore said authorities had already spoken with Pippen and he had not been arrested.

It is unclear whether Pippen’s name has been cleared in the investigation.

Pippen played in the NBA for 17 seasons, including 12 with the Chicago Bulls and won six championships. 

Check back as more information becomes available.