Arrest warrant issued for coach in rec center shooting

Philadelphia police have revealed the identity of the Philadelphia coach who they say fired a gun during  a Southwest Philadelphia rec-center basketball game for teenagers.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Maurice Tavares, who also goes by the name Maurice Robinson. He is 26, and last lived on the 2000 block of Harris Street, Chester, Pa., cops said.

A 45-year-old coach from the opposing team told police that he and Tavares — whose teen charges were winning but facing pressure from a mounting comeback —  had a verbal dispute during a Saturday afternoon basketball game for 14 to 16-year-olds at the Christy Recreation Center.

When the 45-year-old coach went to diffuse the situation, he said Tavares had started to exchange profanities with him. A spectator jumped into the argument. Tavares told the spectator to “Shut Up” then told the opposing coach to walk away.
At that point, Tavares pulled a pistol from his waistband and, while walking backward, fired a single shot, according to police. He then walked out the door and fled.

Nobody was injured, but frightened spectators ran for cover.