Photo: Getty Images
A youth basketball player’s father has been charged with felony assault after video captured him barreling over a ref during his son’s game last month. Prosecutors in King County, Washington, say 31-year-old man-child Mark McLaughlin has been hit with one count of assault in the second degree after they say he violently knocked over a referee in a December 16 altercation, causing serious injuries to the official.
… Authorities say McLaughlin became so enraged after refs touched his son following an on-court incident at a middle school basketball game he ran onto the floor and forcefully shoved one of the officials to the ground. Video of the alleged incident, filmed by a fan in the stands, showed how the scene played out — and it’s disturbing. The footage allegedly shows McLaughlin, who prosecutors say is 6 feet 6 inches, 215 pounds, racing in from the bleachers and walloping one of the refs.… McLaughlin is facing up to 10 years behind bars if convicted.