Arkansas Native & Star Athlete Torii Hunter Has Strange Run-In With Police
By: Matt Turner
Updated: April 4, 2012
Torii Hunter, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and current right fielder for the Los Angeles Angels went face-to-face with police officers Wednesday when they had their guns drawn at his Newport Coast home.
Hunter told ESPN he accidentally set off his home alarm. He says minutes later officers were approaching his back door with guns drawn.
"I saw the cops and turned around and they had their guns out, saying, 'Show me your hands!' " Hunter said in a news conference. "I'm like, 'All right, I'm cool.' I had a pistol upstairs. I'm a licensed gun owner. I'm glad I didn't get it because I could have been shot. What would have happened if I went out there?"
Hunter said after brief questioning, officers escorted him upstairs to find his identification. After learning who he was, the officers reportedly revealed they were fans.
"After a while, the guy told me, 'I'm a big Angels fan. I watch you all the time,' " Hunter said. "I'm like, 'Come on, man.' "
Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe confirmed to ESPN that officers responded to an alarm call at Hunter's residence.
"Responding officers contacted the resident and confirmed that the alarm was unfounded," Lowe said in an e-mail. "I have no further details at this time."
Hunter told ESPN he accidentally set off his home alarm. He says minutes later officers were approaching his back door with guns drawn.
"I saw the cops and turned around and they had their guns out, saying, 'Show me your hands!' " Hunter said in a news conference. "I'm like, 'All right, I'm cool.' I had a pistol upstairs. I'm a licensed gun owner. I'm glad I didn't get it because I could have been shot. What would have happened if I went out there?"
Hunter said after brief questioning, officers escorted him upstairs to find his identification. After learning who he was, the officers reportedly revealed they were fans.
"After a while, the guy told me, 'I'm a big Angels fan. I watch you all the time,' " Hunter said. "I'm like, 'Come on, man.' "
Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe confirmed to ESPN that officers responded to an alarm call at Hunter's residence.
"Responding officers contacted the resident and confirmed that the alarm was unfounded," Lowe said in an e-mail. "I have no further details at this time."
