Reds' Stenson killed in Arizona
Reds' Stenson killed in Arizona
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson was found shot and killed early Wednesday in Chandler, Ariz. Stenson, 25, was playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League.
No motive was immediately determined for Stenson's shooting, which Chandler police are still investigating.
"We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to Dernell's family and his friends, teammates and coaches," the Reds said in a statement.
Chandler police issued a news release stating that officers responded around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday to a call of shots being fired. Police then discovered Stenson's body lying in the roadway at the 2200 block of West Butler Drive. Stenson apparently had been shot and run over by a vehicle. Witnesses told police that a black sport utility vehicle was involved and seen leaving the area. Mesa (Ariz.) police found a vehicle matching that description in the area of Broadway and Extension streets at around 3:45 a.m. The car, a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo, was registered to Stenson out of Georgia, where he lived in LaGrange. The driver of the vehicle is being held by Chandler police.
Originally, Stenson wasn't slated to play in Arizona. He was added to the Scorpions' roster when outfielder Wily Mo Pena was granted his wish to play Winter League ball in the Dominican Republic after spending time at Cincinnati's instructional league camp in Florida. Stenson was thriving in the AFL, ranking third in the league with a .394 batting average and fourth with a .453 on-base percentage through 18 games.
Stenson, who the Reds claimed off waivers from Boston on Feb. 25, made his Major League debut this year after spending seven years in the Red Sox minor-league system. He was a Southern League All-Star with the Reds' Double-A Chattanooga affiliate, batting .306 with 14 home runs and 76 RBIs. He also hit .237 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 17 games with Triple-A Louisville before being promoted to the Reds on Aug. 13. Appearing in 37 games, including 20 starts, Stenson batted .247 with three home runs and 13 RBIs for the Reds.
The AFL canceled Thursday's games in Stenson's memory.
jimmfo Ohio's Best!
(just imagine how bad
the others are!)
USA
Posts: 694
(11/6/03 3:26 pm)
Re: Reds' Stenson killed in Arizona
very tragic news to hear
CheeringMetFan My Daughter is a Yankee Fan!
Where did i go Wrong?
USA
Posts: 235
(11/6/03 6:25 pm)
Re: Reds' Stenson killed in Arizona
Such a sad story. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this tragic situation.
PHOENIX -- Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson was kidnapped in a robbery of his sports utility vehicle and killed while trying to escape, police said Sunday.
Stenson, who had been playing in the Arizona Fall League, was found dead Wednesday after a night out with friends. Four men have been arrested in connection with Stenson's death.
Police said the robbery began at a Scottsdale nightclub, but the events leading to the discovery of Stenson's body in a street in suburban Chandler were unclear. Stenson's hands were bound during the robbery and there was an apparent struggle in his vehicle, police said.
Stenson was shot more than once while attempting to escape and then was run over, said Detective Robert Krautheim.
David Griffith was arrested Saturday afternoon without incident on American Indian land east of Phoenix. Griffith, 20, was arrested on a warrant for vehicle theft and held while Chandler police seek extradition.
Upon extradition, Krautheim said additional charges would be sought for Griffith. He declined to elaborate.
Two other men, half brothers, were already being held in connection with the case, one charged with possession of stolen property and the other held on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping and homicide.
Kevin Riddle, 43, was stopped by police while driving Stenson's SUV less than two hours after Stenson's body was found Wednesday, police said.
Reginald Riddle, 19, was booked Thursday on suspicion of homicide, armed robbery and kidnapping. He has not yet been formally charged. According to court documents, Reginald Riddle admitted his involvement during interviews with police.
Their relationship to Griffith was not immediately clear.
A fourth suspect, 32-year-old Robert Lee Maye, was arrested Saturday. He was booked on suspicion of hindering prosecution in the case, police said.
"They are all involved some way or another, and we're trying to figure out how," Krautheim said.
Stenson, 25, made his Major League debut with the Reds this year, batting .247 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 37 games.
Funeral services will be Monday in LaGrange, Ga., Stenson's hometown.
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