AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- A Detroit Pistons fan suspected of throwing a beverage on Indiana Pacers' player Ron Artest, reportedly leading to Friday night's brawl, has been identified and questioned, according to Detroit broadcast reports.
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Authorities have identified the fan -- believed to have thrown the first cup of beer at Artest -- as John Green, of West Bloomfield Township, a suburb of Detroit.
A county prosecutor reviewing the case said he identified Green -- the two reportedly were next-door neighbors when both lived in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak -- by repeatedly watching footage of the brawl.
The cup throw reportedly sent Artest into a rage in the stands, where players and fans fought during the game between the Pistons and the Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Authorities said that while Artest was sprawled on his back on a scorer's table, away from a scuffle on the court, Green, who was identified over the weekend as "the fan in the white hat," apparently threw the plastic cup of beer. Artest then jumped up and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats.
Video shows that the man identified as Green stepped aside and another person took the initial blow. The man then grabbed Artest and hit him twice from behind.
Green, speaking with reporters Monday, said it may have looked like he threw the cup, but he didn't.
Outside his home, he told Detroit TV station WDIV: "I'm not going anywhere. The police know where I live. I've talked to them already."
Green was expected to speak with Auburn Hills police Sunday night, but did not appear, WDIV reported. He reportedly is a season-ticket holder at The Palace.
"He, I think, precipitated the whole event that transpired in the spectator section," the prosecutor, David Gorcyca, told Detroit television station WXYZ. "I think he's going to be facing some criminal charges."
He also said some players could face charges, though he declined to say which ones.
Gorcyca said the investigation will begin with Green. Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office is expected to announce charges against 25 to 50 other fans who participated in the fight at The Palace.
Gorcyca said anyone who threw a cup or a punch -- including players and fans -- could face criminal charges.
"The throwing of an object and striking someone constitutes an assault," Gorcyca said.
One fan in particular that police want to identify is the person who threw a chair into the crowd. Police are reviewing video from a fan who snuck a camera into the game, WDIV reported.
Police have interviewed nine witnesses who claimed that they were assaulted by one of the Pacers, the station reported Monday. Investigators continue to review video to identify others involved in the brawl.
Witness Joe Hampton said he is a season-ticket holder and was about 10 rows away from the incident Friday.
"I didn't have the instinct necessarily to take off. It's just so shocking. You just kind of freeze," said Hampton. "This happened fast and it was just kind of surreal."
Authorities are trying to confirm witness information with video of the incident.
NBA security is also reviewing the tapes and plan to speak with officials at The Palace about security measures.
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