INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said Monday that the team will not punish Jamaal Tinsley for his involvement in a shooting in front of a downtown hotel.

Tinsley met with O'Brien and team president Larry Bird a day after the guard and several companions were targeted in the early Sunday morning shooting that wounded the team's equipment manager. Police said the shooting followed a confrontation at a west-side Indianapolis nightclub.

O'Brien said if the situation is as Tinsley describes, there will be no penalties and that the player has the right to stay out late. Tinsley was back at practice after the meeting; Bird was not available for comment.

"To the best of my knowledge, he tried to walk away from trouble. I think that's a pretty darn good thing," O'Brien told reporters Monday.

Tinsley, who wasn't injured, apologized to his family, teammates and fans and said what he did was stupid. He said he understands that NBA players are targets and that he will change the way he makes decisions.

"Of course, you worry about your fans and the community and how people look at you," he said. "I made a stupid mistake, again."

It was Tinsley's third late-night episode that made news in about 14 months, and the latest in a three-year string of incidents that have engulfed the franchise.

"This is something we can't just put right behind us and walk away from," Bird said Sunday. "It's something we'll have to discuss. I don't know how long it'll take and we'll continue to talk about it. We have to make a change, there's no question about it."

Confrontation Began As Tinsley, Friends Left Night Club

Police said the Sunday morning shooting involved an assault rifle and followed a confrontation when Tinsley and his companions were leaving the Cloud 9 club.

O'Brien said Tinsley made an error in judgment by being out so late. Police were called at 3:40 a.m.

"It was not a good decision and that's basically it," O'Brien said. "I'm sure he knows that, and I'm sure there will be a lifestyle change for him. But, to the best of our knowledge, he was a victim."

"Why are you out at 3:30 and in a place like that?" Bird said. "I don't really have a problem with guys being out at 3:30, but you've got to know your surroundings."

Tinsley's group had arrived at the club in three cars owned by the player -- a Mercedes, a Rolls-Royce and a Dodge Charger. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. Paul Thompson said a group of people gathered around the Rolls-Royce and gave Tinsley a hard time about his cars and his earnings.

After Tinsley and his entourage left, they realized they were being followed by a gray Chrysler and a dark pickup truck, Thompson said.

Instead of going to Tinsley's downtown home, Tinsley's group pulled into the Conrad Hotel, a downtown luxury hotel. Tinsley said he thought that if his group pulled into a public place, the pursuit would end.

Instead, Tinsley's Rolls-Royce was struck by several bullets. Five bullet holes were found in the Charger, police said.

Thompson said Tinsley's vehicles were struck by shots from a .223 assault rifle.

"That's a heck of a weapon to unleash downtown without there being collateral damage," Thompson said.

No one was injured in the Charger.

Two vehicles in Tinsley's group then followed the shooters in a chase and Tinsley's brother, James, fired at the attackers with a 9 mm handgun, police said.

Thompson said it was unknown whether anyone was hit at that time, and Jamaal Tinsley was not involved in the chase.

James Tinsley, who has a gun permit, hasn't been charged because the incident is still under investigation, Thompson said.

Police arrested one person in Tinsley's group, Antoine Toon, on an outstanding warrant in Georgia charging him with dealing a controlled substance.

Joey Qatato, the team's equipment manager, was struck in both elbows as he sat with Tinsley in the Rolls-Royce. Qatato, 48, was taken to Methodist Hospital, where he was treated and released.

"I'm very disappointed that it happened to him while he was with me," Tinsley said Monday.

Police on Monday released a 911 recording of a call from an employee of the Conrad Hotel. The following is heard on the recording:

Caller: "There's been gunshots out front."
Dispatcher: "OK. Do you know how many?"
Caller: "As far as I could tell because I wasn't listening for it, 6 or 7. We have a guy in our lobby whose apparently been hit."

Incident Adds To Recent Negative Publicity Involving Team

The latest incident adds to the Pacers' reputation for finding trouble -- or trouble finding them.

The well-documented brawl with Detroit Pistons fans was the start. The Pacers dealt with suspensions of Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson after the 2004 brawl, and Indiana eventually traded both players.

Tinsley has found trouble most often. He was present when Jackson fired a gun into the air several times before he was hit by a car at Club Rio in Indianapolis in October 2006.

Tinsley and another Pacers player, Marquis Daniels, both face charges stemming from a bar fight almost a year ago.

A grand jury indicted Tinsley on a felony charge of intimidation and misdemeanor counts of battery, disorderly conduct and intimidation in connection with a Feb. 6 fight at the 8 Seconds Saloon. Their trial is scheduled to start Jan. 14.

The latest incident is likely to overshadow perhaps Tinsley's best season. He wasn't injured and didn't practice Sunday.

"It's very unfortunate, especially considering the type of year he's having," forward Jermaine O'Neal said. "He's our early season MVP. I know this city has been down this road with us before. Let the judicial process play itself out and continue to support us."

Professional Athletes Targeted In Violent Crimes

Sunday's shooting is the latest in a string of violent crimes targeting professional athletes.

Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor died Nov. 27, a day after he was shot in the bedroom of his Miami home in what police have said was a botched burglary.

Over the summer, NBA players Eddy Curry and Antoine Walker were robbed just weeks apart in their Chicago-area homes. In September, two men broke into the home of Houston Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson, tying up the victim and stealing jewelry.

Tinsley appeared to be the only Pacers player in the group, which included his brother and several friends. Police didn't say how many were in the group and didn't identify any of the members other than Tinsley, his brother, Toon and Qatato.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said: "We are gathering details but before we know more, it's inappropriate for us to comment."

The Pacers play Cleveland on Tuesday night.