Combs speaks at a Tuesday press conference

December 28, 1999
Web posted at: 5:33 p.m. EST (2233 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Rap impresario Sean "Puffy" Combs Tuesday denied involvement in a nightclub shooting early Monday morning. He predicted that the criminal charges filed by New York police against him -- related to alleged possession of a firearm -- will be dropped.

"On Sunday evening, I went to Club New York," Combs said in a news conference. "Under no circumstances whatsoever did I have anything to do with a shooting. I do not own a gun, nor did I possess a gun, that night.

"I want to make this 100-percent clear," he said. "I had nothing to do with a shooting in this club, and I feel terrible that people were hurt that night. I'm positive, in the next couple of days, due to the investigation, that the truth will come out."

Combs and singer Jennifer Lopez were arrested Monday when a gun was found in a vehicle owned by Combs after an early morning shooting at a nightclub the two had patronized together, police said.

Combs was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen weapon, the same gun. He made an initial court appearance late Monday where bail was set at $10,000 and he was released. If convicted, Combs could face a maximum 15 years in prison.

Lopez was released after questioning and no charges were filed against her, authorities said. Barbara Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney's office, said prosecutors evaluated the case against Lopez and "decided to let it go."

"They did a thorough investigation. ... Jennifer has been exonerated," said Larry Ruggiero, attorney for the singer-actress.

Police stop vehicles outside Club New York, where the shooting occured

Three people were shot and wounded at Club New York, a night spot near Times Square, around 2:20 a.m. About 10 minutes after the incident was reported, police said a sport utility vehicle with Combs and Lopez in the backseat was pulled over.

Two others, the driver and front-seat passenger, were in the vehicle, a gray Lincoln Navigator, police said.

"There was a pistol on the right front seat. None of the occupants claimed ownership of it. They were all arrested for possession of a weapon and possession of stolen property," said New York Police Comm. Howard Safir.

The two other men in the vehicle, Anthony Jones and Wardel Fenderson, were still being held. Jones also was charged with possession of a controlled substance, marijuana.

Jamal Barrow, 19, of Brooklyn, a rapper known as "Shine," was arrested outside the club -- allegedly with a 9mm handgun -- following the shooting. Barrow was charged with criminal possession of a gun and three counts of attempted murder, police said.

Combs, 30, a high-profile rap producer and performer who has produced songs for Mariah Carey and Madonna, was alleged earlier this year to have to have beaten a music executive in a dispute over a music video. Combs pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment and was ordered to undergo counseling.

He also is a defendant in civil suits filed as a result of a stampede in a stairwell that killed eight people and injured 29 at New York's City College during a charity event in which he performed.

Lopez, 29, starred in films including "Money Train" (1995), "Selena" and "Anaconda" (both 1997) and "Out of Sight" (1998) and released her debut album, "On the 6," in June.